Aurora Tigers on a cold streak

December 14, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Jake Courtepatte

A resurgent November for the Junior A Aurora Tigers has led into a December that has seen the team making the same mistakes that put them at the bottom of the Ontario Junior Hockey League standings.

Having already lost two in a row, a 5 – 4 loss to the Lindsay Muskies at home on Saturday sent the Tigers further out of playoff contention, with the Muskies hanging precariously onto one of the final spots.

A cross-checking call against veteran James Thomson in the opening minute led to a Lindsay wraparound powerplay goal, before Thomson and Eric Holland scored two quick goals for the home team to take a 2 – 1 lead.

A back-and-forth game had the teams tied at fours heading into the third, where Lindsay’s Cameron Robinson scored just 55 seconds in for the eventual game winning goal.

Aurora followed up on Sunday with a 3 – 3 tie with the Markham Royals, unsolved through two overtime periods.

Jake Sabourin stood between the pipes in relief of Brayden Lachance, and faced 53 shots in the effort. Aurora held a 3 – 1 lead in the game, off goals from Tyler Davis, Anthony Paveglio, and Brandon MacKinnon, before Markham scored twice late in the game for the eventual tie.

The week ended with a 9 – 3 loss to the Cobourg Cougars on the road on Sunday, who remain the second best team in the OJHL. The lone highlight of the Tigers’ game was Davis, whose two point effort brought his current point streak to three games.

Picking up only one of a possible six points over the weekend, the Tigers remain in fifth place in the OJHL’s Northeast division with a record of 5-25-1-4.

The current playoff picture has the Tigers on the outside looking in, ten points back of the Newmarket Huricanes for eighth place in the conference.
Not much will change prior to the holiday break, with only two games on the schedule before the New Year. Both will be played against the Hurricanes, first battling Sunday at the Aurora Community Centre.

Puck drop is at 7 p.m.

The Tigers would like fans to know they are accepting donations of non-perishable food items for the needy until Sunday’s home game, with the donation box located beside the box office at the Aurora Community Centre.

Sunday’s game will also be the Tigers’ annual Teddy Bear Toss, with fans asked to bring a new bear or plush toy to toss at the first Aurora goal.
For stats, schedules, and more information, visit www.auroratigers.pointstreaksites.com.