Tigers split weekend against Spirit, Dukes

February 9, 2017 · 0 Comments

By Jake Courtepatte

Aurora’s Junior A Tigers were victorious on the road for just the second time this season on Saturday, ending a three-game losing streak in their season series against the Stouffville Spirit.
Stouffville got on the board early, followed by three straight Aurora goals off the sticks of Mel Melconian, William Constantinou, and Konner McMillan.
With both teams trading a pair of goals in the second, Stouffville made it a 4 – 3 game with a goal from Alex Williamson early in the third. Anthony Paveglio restored the two goal lead with a tip that squeaked through the pads of Hunter Jones with just over a minute left in regulation, while Jacob Kostopoulos capped off a two-goal performance with a late empty netter.
Melconian’s two-point night brought the rising star’s point total on the season to fifty, while Paveglio had a four-point night including three assists.
It was the second win in four games for the Tigers, who were eliminated from postseason contention last week. Over two months separated the win from Aurora’s only other one on the road this season, last beating the lowly Milton IceHawks in late November.
Sunday night’s matchup with the Wellington Dukes at the Aurora Community Centre seemed like both teams wanted to get home for the Superbowl, with all the action coming in the first period.
After Carmine Alberga opened the scoring seven minutes in with his fifth of the year, Wellington rattled off five straight goals past Brayden LaChance before the end of the first period.
Both teams would go silent for the second and third, with Wellington coming out on top 5 – 1.
With playoff hopes long gone, the Tigers still have a chance to pass the Pickering Panthers to get out of the NorthEast Conference basement. With a record of 7-35-1-4, they currently sit two points back of the Panthers, with a game in hand.
The Newmarket Hurricanes, meanwhile, are the only team in a conference playoff spot yet to clinch. They can do so with just two more points, hosting the Spirit on Thursday at Ray Twinney, before visiting the Tigers.
The Trenton Golden Hawks and Georgetown Raiders, both ranked in the top twenty CJHL teams nationally, lead the NorthEast and SouthWest Conferences respectively.
This weekend marks the final time this season fans can see the Tigers at the Aurora Community Centre, with the Tigers hosting the Whitby Fury on Saturday and the Hurricanes on Sunday.
Both games have start times of 7:30 p.m.
Aurora will wrap up their schedule with four games on the road, visiting Burlington, Whitby, Orangeville, and Kingston.
For stats, schedules, and more information, visit www.auroratigers.pointstreaksites.com.