Tigers pad position atop OJHL North Division before long home stand

November 19, 2014 · 0 Comments

By Jake Courtepatte

Only one game was on the docket for the Tigers last week, as Friday’s away game against the St. Michael’s Buzzers was postponed due to schedule conflicts with the Central Canada Cup taking place in Etobicoke.

The Tigers made the long trip to Kingston last Thursday for one of only two meetings between the teams this season.

Although they had won five straight games, the Voyageurs came in sitting fourth in the East, the OJHL’s toughest division.

Drake Board has been on a streak of his own recently, currently riding a four game point streak. He netted the first goal of the game twelve minutes in, off an assist from Jordan DaSilva.

Despite being outshot 11 – 8 in the first frame, solid goaltending from Andy Munroe preserved the one goal lead heading to intermission.

Keaton Ratcliffe doubled the lead midway through the second with a helper from Johnny Curran, bringing his point total to 31 on the year.

After 24 straight saves, Munroe was finally solved by the Kingston offence shortly into the third period, but the Tigers came storming back. Sam Quaranta restored the two goal lead with his first of the season and third point in the last two games.

A late goal hurt nothing but Munroe’s goals-against-average, as he turned in a stellar performance in a 3 – 2 win.

Munroe made 34 saves on 36 shots faced.

While most of the team was given an opportunity to rest over the weekend, nine Tigers were called to represent the OJHL on four different teams in the Central Canada Cup at the MasterCard Centre over the weekend.

Head Coach James Richmond coached the OJHL “Hawerchuk” squad to a quarterfinal birth, where they were defeated by the OJHL “Nieuwendyk” team. Aurora’s leading scorer Curran picked up two assists against his coach, who had Tigers Board, Callum Fryer, and Ratcliffe on his roster.

Curran’s team, which also included Tigers captain Michael Laidley, went all the way to the finals to face the OJHL “Oates” and Tiger Eric Williams.

The Oates squad dominated the play, shutting out Nieuwendyk 4 – 0 to win the 2014 Central Canada Cup.

Curran tied for third in tournament scoring, picking up four points in six games.

The Tigers rejoin OJHL action on Friday, facing the Stouffville Spirit at the Aurora Community Centre, the first game of a ten-game home stand. The Pickering Panthers are in town on Sunday, in a weekend filled with North Division rivalry.

Puck drop on Friday is at 7:30.

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