Aurora Tigers notch wins as team hits the road

December 4, 2013 · 0 Comments

By Jeff Doner

The Aurora Tigers Junior A hockey team has been on a torrid pace as of late, and it continued last week when they notched wins against the Trenton Golden Hawks and the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots.

“It’s going well,” said Tigers points leader Kory Kennedy. “I think we’re coming together well as a team and I think we’re finally finding our stride on what it takes to win and be successful in this league.”

Starting a five game road trip on Friday against Trenton, the Tigers eked out a close one in this match, winning 2 – 1.

There was no scoring in the first period, despite the Tigers firing 12 shots on net.

In the second, Trenton got on the board less than three minutes in.

By the midway point of the period, Adam DiBrina tied things up on a goal assisted by Callum Fryer.

Six minutes later, Drake Board, who has chipped in some timely offence for the Tigers lately, netted his seventh of the season to put the Tigers up 2 – 1 with just over two minutes left in the period. Dylan Sikura drew the only assist.

That goal would end up the winner, as Kevin Entmaa shut the door in net for the Tigers, giving him the win with 31 saves.

Kennedy said it was a game that was won by just doing the basics.

“We honestly just kept it simple and played our game and stuck to what
has been working for us and pulled out the win,” he said.

Saturday at Toronto Lakeshore Patriots

The next day, the Tigers were back on the road for a tough test against one of the top ranked CanadianJunior teams, in the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots.
It was a good measuring stick for the ever improving Tigers, who knew what they were facing in the Patriots.
“We came in there and we knew that we had a battle set out for us,” said Entmaa.

In a very big 4-3 Tigers victory, Kennedy had two goals, while Eric Williams added one on the power play and captain Robert Angiolella scored the game winner in overtime.

Kennedy’s two goals give him 13 on the season to tie him with Taylor McCloy and Michael Laidley for the team lead in that category.

“You always go through those hot and cold spells throughout the year, but I’m feeling good,” Kennedy said about his two-goal game. “I’ve just got to keep telling myself to keep it simple and that’s where it all comes from – keep making those little plays that lead to the goals and playing well defensively.”

Entmaa faced 25 shots in the win that gave him 10 victories in his last 11 straight starts in net for the Tigers.

“At the beginning of the year I was a little shaky I felt, but now I’m coming out and playing with confidence every game,” Entmaa said. “I’m confident in the players in front of me and I think they’re confident having me back there as well, so pretty much everything is going well right now, we’ve just got to keep it rolling.”

The road trip continues this week with stops in Kingston and Mississauga.

“I know in the past couple years we’ve had a little trouble with Kingston and again this year they have a good team, so we just have to come out and keep playing the way we’re playing,” Enmtaa said.

“With Mississauga, we can’t take them lightly even though they’re not really up there in the standings. We still have to come out and play our game.”
The Tigers next home game rolls around on December 13 at 7.30 p.m. against Burlington.