Tigers have yet to beat the Blues, defeat Blades 5-2

The Aurora Tigers dropped another game against the Collingwood Blues Friday night having suffered a 4-1 defeat before defeating the Oakville Blades Saturday night 5-2.

It was been quite a daunting losing streak for the Aurora Tigers and the streak, unfortunately, continues. This is the tenth straight game against the Blues dating back to last season where the Tigers have failed to beat their rivals from up north. December 16 of last year was the last time the Tigers defeated the Blues, winning 2-0.

In the first period it was all Blues to start things off. Stephen McDonald opened the scoring 3.34 into the frame and Spencer Young added a second goal short-handed.

In the second period, Stefan Forgione brought the game within one for the Tigers in a solid period of hockey for the boys.

But in the third period, the Tigers collapsed, coughing up a goal to Ayden Dooley and later on in the period, another goal to Cam Garvey.

“They beat us where we need to be better. We need to be more consistent with our play throughout the entire game. Without any lapses. They're too good of a team to be giving them opportunities and we gave them too many opportunities [that] in my opinion were preventable,” head coach, Greg Johnston said.

“They have three losses this season. So, bottom line is there have been three teams that have beat them. We're not one of them yet. They're a good hockey team. Their record speaks for themselves. They battle hard. They're disciplined.”

The next night against the Oakville Blades, the Tigers, opened the scoring. Carter Real scored his fifth goal in his eighth game as a Tiger to put the boys up 1-0. Despite coughing up another short-handed goal to Matthew Wang, Ethan McFarland made it 2-1 for the Tigers by the end of the first period.

In the second period, Ryan Evenhuis made it 3-1. Gleb Akimov brought the deficit back to one with a goal for the Blades.

In the third, Stefan Forgione scored his third goal in his eighth game as a Tiger from Sett Ursomarzo and Matteo Iacovelli. That line seemingly had some wind in its sails that period as Ursomarzo scored another goal to put the game out of reach and Iacovelli and Forgione, were his helpers.

“If you become one dimensional it's tough. You hear every announcer, every sportscaster every hockey expert, when you get secondary scoring it's huge. You need some scoring depth; real happy with Carter Real and Stefan Forgione. Both of those guys have come in and fit in really well, on the ice and in the locker room,” Johnston said.

“Joseph Martino is back now and he's played the last two games for us. Hasn't got on the score sheet but when you haven't played in four months it takes a little bit of time. There's a noticeable improvement and I expect that to continue. All good signs… Sett Ursomarzo, he's a point a game guy. (Ryan) Gagner is a point a game guy. Matteo Iacovelli is a having, in my opinion, a break-out year for him. Still plays a physical role that's his bread and butter. Meat and potato kind of guy in a sense. But, he's found an offensive flair and a comfort level with the ability to do that makes him more valuable each time he's on the ice. And other guys are developing. So overall, very happy with the whole thing.”

The Tigers, took on the Blades once again yesterday. Results are on ojhl.ca.

This Friday the Tigers take on the Milton Menace. Puck drop is at 7.30 p.m. at the ACC.

By Robert Belardi