Hurricanes tame Aurora Tigers to snap winning streak

January 27, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Jake Courtepatte

A pair of streaks came to an end at the Ray Twinney Complex in Newmarket last Thursday, but the joy was one-sided.

The Newmarket Hurricanes halted a two-game losing streak with a 4 – 3 victory over the Aurora Tigers, whose three-goal deficit in the first was too much to keep a five-game winning streak afloat.

Aurora goaltender Josh Boyko seemed almost stunned by the time he heard the first intermission buzzer, allowing goals from Ryan Young, Jonathan Colley and Max Routledge through twelve Hurricane shots.

Captain Daniel Mantenuto slowed the bleeding just over a minute into the second period, tapping in a gimme that Canes goalie Dalton Ewing thought was under his pad.

The Tigers couldn’t capitalize on an almost two minute-long 5-on-3’s, and paid for it when former Tiger Todd Winder put the Canes back on top by three late in the second period.

Ryan Shaw, sent the other way in the deal that made Winder a Hurricane, scored for the Tigers in the third while Drake Board added one of his own, eventually succumbing to a 4 – 3 score.

Despite what happened on the ice, it can hardly be called a loss when so much is gained for charity.

The game was this season’s installment of the annual “Pink in the Rink” charity game, with all proceeds going to the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre at Southlake Regional Health Centre.

Though final numbers are still being tallied, last year’s event raised over $15,000, while almost 500 fans showed up last week to show their support.

“The sight is just incredible,” said Newmarket-Aurora MP Kyle Peterson. “The rivalry here is great, but for these two teams to come together for charity really is something special.”

With the home team decked out in vibrant pink uniforms, both teams took time to remember two former Hurricanes – KJ Ramolla and Kevin Lord – as well as Josh Sedore, the son of Steve Sedore, a former Hurricanes assistant coach.

It was the first Hurricanes victory in the annual battle in three years.

“You can always expect a good battle between these two teams,” said Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen. “No matter what, you get what you paid for.”

With the regular season schedule winding down, however, the focus does have to be put on the standings board. As the loss was the Tigers’ only game of the week, they have fallen four points behind the Markham Royals for first place in the OJHL’s North division, who earned back-to-back wins on the road over the weekend.

It’s far from a comfortable position, sitting in fifth in the Northeast conference.

The Tigers return to the Aurora Community Centre for consecutive home games this weekend, starting Friday evening when they host the Georgetown Raiders, who lead the Southwest conference. Only a dozen games remain before the postseason.

For stats, schedules, and more information, visit www.auroratigers.pointstreaksites.com.