Game Preview: Game 66 vs Red Deer Rebels
Medicine Hat, AB - March 15, 2025 - The Medicine Hat Tigers are set to face off against the Red Deer Rebels tonight for the eighth and final meeting of the season. With both teams vying for supremacy within the Central Division, and with the Tigers holding a record of 3-4-0-0 against the Rebels so far this season, the matchup promises to be thrilling.
Leading the Tigers’ lineup is forward Gavin McKenna, who has stood out this season, notching 13 points (1 goal, 12 assists) against the Rebels. Fans will be eager to see if he can extend his impressive performance and add to his points tally.
This season series saw its most recent clash on March 7, 2025, when the Tigers triumphed over the Rebels with a score of 7-1. Other notable encounters included the Rebels taking earlier wins on October 25, with a 4-2 victory at their home rink, as well as the Tigers' win of 8-1 on January 10, 2025, showcasing both teams' capability to dominate the play.
Looking back at their last game, the Tigers pulled off an exciting 6-5 overtime win against the Lethbridge Hurricanes on March 14, 2025. Gavin McKenna shined with 1 goal and 3 assists, contributing significantly to the victory. Oasiz Wiesblatt notched 2 goals and 1 assist, and Tanner Molendyk contributed with 1 goal and 2 assists, showing the depth of talent on the Tigers’ roster. Meanwhile, Harrison Meneghin made 31 saves on 36 shots, marking his fourth consecutive win and 20th overall this season. This win reinforced the Tigers' impressive record of 44-17-3-1, placing them first in both the Central Division and the Eastern Conference.
Home advantage is also working in the Tigers' favor; their home record stands at 23-7-2-0, showcasing their strength when playing at home. With solid performances across the roster, the Tigers will look to reinforce their standing as they approach the playoffs.
This game carries serious weight as the Tigers continue their push toward the playoffs. Also contributing to this narrative are the Tigers’ statistical leaders: Hunter St. Martin with 37 goals, Gavin McKenna with 80 assists, and pristine plus/minus stats - McKenna at +51 - which has cemented his reputation as one of the league's top players.
Players to watch include Oasiz Wiesblatt, who has accumulated 146 penalty minutes, and goalie Jordan Switzer, boasting 23 wins this season with a save percentage of .901. The team’s special teams have also been impressive, with the power play operating at 27.5% and the penalty kill at 79.0%.
A few upcoming milestones are set to be achieved as well. Players like Cayden Lindstrom are on the verge of career milestones, needing just 1 more game to reach 100 career games and 4 more goals to reach the 50 mark. Others like Mathew Ward, Oasiz Wiesblatt, and Jonas Woo are each inching closer to significant goals and points milestones.
Tonight's faceoff will take place at 7:00 PM (MST) at the Tigers’ home arena, promising to be not just another game, but pivotal to their playoff aspirations. The Tigers aim to keep the momentum rolling after their thrilling overtime victory over Lethbridge and secure the season series against the Rebels with one last push.