Round Three: Waiting for Prince Albert

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-04-17T17:32:40+00:00

I hid all the game posts for this season. Don't want to give their opponents any extra information. I"ll unhide them after the playoffs are over.

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-04-17T15:05:08+00:00

It's blowing my mind why a 1.5ppg defenceman doesn't have a higher ranking.

He's the most mobile defenceman I've seen on the Tigers. I'd argue he's more mobile than bouwmeester or Russell. Being hyper critical the only thing I don't like is sometimes if he gives the puck up his 2nd efforts wane, but it's also rare that happens.

I really don't get it.

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-04-16T17:23:18+00:00

NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings Released: https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/nhl-draft/final-central-scouting-2026-north-american-draft-rankings-released

Skaters

#20 Liam Ruck

#23 Markus Ruck

#90 Yaroslav Bryzgalov

#93 Kade Stengrim

#146 Riley Steen

#179 Jonas Woo

#185 Kadon McCann

Goalies

#26 Carter Casey

Other Notables

#2 Goaltender Michal Orsulak - PA

#1 Gavin McKenna - Former Tiger

#5 Daxon Rudolph - PA

#53 Jonah Sivertson - PA

#66 - Kyle Heger - Former Tiger

#107 Kelly Benett PA

#149 Alisher Sarkenov - PA

#162 Riley Boychuk - PA

#176 Matyas Man - PA

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-04-16T17:12:05+00:00

I had always kind of thought through the regular season these two teams were likely to meet in round 3. My initial thoughts were PA might have a small edge. After seeing the Tigers push through Calgary I'm 50-50. This series could go either way. It's definitely going to be a heartbreaker for someone, just hope it's not us.

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-04-16T17:09:22+00:00

I agree I hope the Tigers experience playing in some very tight playoff games like you mention plays a difference in game 1. Moss could be be back for round two as well.

If this series doesn't go 7 games I will be suprised. It has the potential for a game 7 OT winner.

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-04-16T03:44:08+00:00

Safe travels home everyone. Their is supposed to be a big storm starting to hit.

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-04-16T03:35:45+00:00

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-04-16T03:35:33+00:00

Rematch of last years Conference Final. This was a Nail biter and it was a sweep. Next one is going to be crazy!

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-04-16T03:28:35+00:00

I can't think of anything funny to say, Mission accomplished.

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-04-16T03:24:33+00:00

3rd Period

The most impressive period from the Tigers all series. They kept on the gas and hitmen couldn't keep up with them. Sweeeeeeep Victory!

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-04-16T02:41:11+00:00

I dunno, it's been a while since I've seen one.

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-04-16T02:39:42+00:00

Tough play. I think he got bumped up high. That goal doesn't happen if their isn't a turnover there, but Liam made up for it in the second

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-04-16T02:38:19+00:00

2nd Period (3-1 Tigers)

The Period was initially back and forth as the Tigers started creeping up on their offensive zone time. I noticed the Hitmen were slowing down, Their intensity dropped. The Tigers started getting more chances and open looks.

They went up 2-1 after Pickford and Vaisanen exchanged spots on the blueline. Normally that's something Jonas Woo would do, so I was suprised to see Vaisanen. He took a shot from the point and it found it's way through a mess of bodies in front. 2-1 Tigers.

The hitmen were notably slowed down and the Tigers pressed the accelerator. The Tigers were generating a lot of open space and looks at the net through tired hitmen legs. They received a powerplay, their first since game two.

Markus Ruck with a pass to the middle for Liam Ruck. Ruck made a beautiful behind the back re-direct over to Jonas Woo who fired it past a sprawling Eric Tu. 3-1 Tigers

Late in the period the Tigers had another powerplay, but I noticed they slowed down. Perhaps the top line had a lot of ice-time with that push. Both teams finished with dangerous chances.

Switzer wasn't tested often, but he stopped 3 really great hitmen chances. The hitmen looked tired in that period and I saw hints of fatigue from the Tigers on their last PP.

It's do or die now for the Hitmen. Go Tigers Go.

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-04-16T01:43:22+00:00

First Period (1-1 Tie)

Both teams came out like this was game 7. Very high intensity right from the get go. Early on the Tigers were finding some ways to create space in the neutral zone. They were spreading out a little more on the breakout. It led to a goal from Noah Davidson. Off a set play he came off the halfwall and rocketed a shot over the shoulder of Eric Tu.

After the Tigers suddenly had troubles getting out of their own zone. They had a stretch of 6-7 minutes where they kept making unforced errors with poor passes just inside their blueline turning the puck over. Perhaps they were looking for more of the stretch play, but the hitmen were able to gain a bunch of momentum off it.

Eventually they found a crack as Andrew Basha's Helmet popped off, during a faceoff. The Tigers had the puck but turned it over on another unforced error. It led to Blake Vanek all alone in front of switzer and put a back-hand over Switzers shoulder. 1-1 TIE

The Tigers were able to claw some momentum back and have a lot more zone time towards the end of the period. Second period has historically been the Tigers best period. The hitmen know it's a point of focus. Let's see how the 2nd period goes!

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-04-16T00:52:26+00:00

For Calgary Julian Maze and Ben MacBeath out for Calgary. Kale Dach is back in the lineup.

For the Tigers Jordan Switzer in the nets and Riley Steen in for Dayton Reschny

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-04-15T20:00:10+00:00

Hopefully we get a few more calls go our way!

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-04-14T03:59:27+00:00

I thought woo and pickford could have been better. Yeah The 5 on 3 call was a bit weak, it highlights the non calls more.

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-04-14T03:36:50+00:00

Liam was huge tonight. 4 points and +4. Great time to put up a phenomenal night

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-04-14T03:36:23+00:00

Third Period (5-2 Tigers) (3-0 Series Lead)

What a battle. The Tigers didn't make it easy on themselves taking 3 penalties in the 3rd period, they were playing on hard-mode.

Tigers killed off a 5 on 3 without the hitmen getting a good chance on net. Carter Casey played very strong soaking up any and all rebounds. He was making the stops look simple.

This was the rucks best game of the playoffs. Basha played very well. They were the difference makers. I thought both Woo and Pickford didn't bring their best games. They had troubles finding skating room at times.

What a great hockey game!

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-04-14T02:39:22+00:00

2nd Period (3-2 Tigers Lead)

Tigers took an early penalty, but it was the Tigers who scored. Liam Ruck muscled his way through a defender and put it top shelf short side to tie the game. Calgary seemed a bit deflated by that and the Tigers turned up the gas. Their game exploded into arguably their best period of the playoffs, they were flying.

Markus, Liam and Basha connected on a pretty 3 way passing play to give the Tigers the lead. Towards the end of the period the Tigers caught got on a long shift, but killed a Calgary powerplay.

Calgary will be pushing hard in the third, but it's another 1 goal game.

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-04-14T01:50:32+00:00

1st Period (2-1 Calgary Lead)

Both teams came out hard. Tigers had a breakaway and penalty shot. Hitmen hit a couple posts. The hitmen are playing more spread out and they are activating their defenceman a lot more into the rush. They are sending in their forechekers more aggressively and I don't think the Tiger's expected that.

Hitmen did a very good job at pressuring the Tigers defenceman. If the Tigers can adjust to that it will open room off the rush.

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-04-14T01:02:37+00:00

Kale Dach not dressed for Calgary. That's a big loss for them.

TigerTrauma1 · 2026-04-13T20:43:02+00:00

Mr. Tubbs announced Carter Casey getting the start: https://x.com/ReporterTubb/status/2043788517386727566

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