A fresh sheet of ice
Tigers get creative with celebrations
Medicine Hat Tigers captain Mark Rassell greets fans during player introductions at the team’s home opener against the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Saturday at the Canalta Centre. For full coverage of the game, and the rest of the weekend’s sports, go to
There was plenty to celebrate on Saturday night at the Canalta Centre.
The first win of the season, a Central Division banner, or a taste of vengeance against a storied rival, there was something for every fan of the Medicine Hat Tigers at Saturday’s 4-0 home opening win over the Lethbridge Hurricanes. But a few celebrations stood out among the rest — like when Josh Williams fired his first goal of the season past Hurricanes goaltender Stuart Skinner and erupted into the kind of jubilant celebration only a rookie can bring to the ice.
“It must be nice to be young and have all that energy after a goal. I’m bagged after I score,” said Tigers overage captain Mark Rassell, who earned an assist on the goal after being robbed by Skinner. “I said, ‘Willy, thank god you scored that or I’d be on saves of the year.’”
Rassell joined in on the scoring party with his second of the year a few minutes after Williams. While Rassell’s celebration wasn’t quite as energized as his young linemates, the newly appointed captain still got in on the excitement with a couple of kicks after batting a puck out of the air and watching it bounce off a few defenders and into the net.
“I was bored and had a little bit of time and a little free space so I figured I’d give the fans a little leg kick or two,” said Rassell. “It was fun and in the heat of the moment. It didn’t really mean much of anything other than I’ve got a great kick.”
All kidding aside, Rassell added it was great to see Williams get on the board with his first of the year after leading the team through pre-season with seven goals and two assists through four exhibition games.
“I’m really happy for him, he’s worked really hard and had a hell of a pre-season. He’s a great player and that’s the first of many in this building, that’s for sure”
Rassell added he was thrilled with the crowd of 4,607 fans that came out to cheer on the Tigers at their opener. He says finding ways to energize the crowd was a point of discussion among returning players in the off-season, and Saturday’s rousing victory was exactly what they were hoping to see.
“It was rocking tonight. The production staff did a great job getting the fans out tonight. That’s something we really wanted to work on,” said Rassell. “It was an unbelievable atmosphere and it was great to get that win.”
“It must be nice to be young and have all that energy after a goal. I’m bagged after I score.”
– Medicine Hat Tigers captain Mark Rassell on rookie teammate Josh Williams’ celebration after scoring his first goal of the season in Saturday’s home opener against the Lethbridge Hurricanes.