October 21, 2006...THE TIGER SLEEPS TONIGHT

The Streetsville Tigers ventured into Vaughan this weekend to battle the host Rangers for the 1st time this season. Although the Rangers are positioned near the bottom of the division it is too early to take any team lightly. The Tigers, who were coming off a disappointing loss to the Toronto Royals last Tuesday, welcomed back their captain Sean Corvetti from fighting a bad case of the flu. Still out off action unfortunately is #9 Matt Raleigh with a collarbone injury…get well soon Matt!!!

There seemed to be high expectations that the Tigers would “own” the Rangers but to the contrary it was they who got “owned” for the 1st 2 periods. With some rather uninspired play it was up to Matt Emanuele to shut the door and motivate the troops. Vaughan was sporting a physical and energetic game that seemed to surprise our boys. They had many chances including a clear breakaway that “Bear” stopped not once but twice as a 2nd Ranger winger crashed the net behind their lead sniper. While prone on his stomach after making the initial stop, “Bear” stuck out his large right lower paw and clawed away any thought of the rubber hitting the twine. The 1st 2 periods ended with the score tied 0-0.

As the zamboni entered the arena to resurface the ice many of the Tiger supporters wondered when the game was going to start. There was much speculation regarding the source of the plodding pace including glare and/or distraction from Coach Matt’s new hairstyle. What ever the case it was time for the “Eye of the Tiger” to emerge and it goes without saying that Coach Mike had some rather “inspiring” words for team during the intermission.

Before the Tigers supporters could re-warm their seats’, Adam Galbraith opened the scoring for the Tigers after only 13 seconds. Despite this the Rangers continued to press but frustration was starting to set in and as is normally the case they took a penalty to give the Tigers an opportunity to try and execute what they have been practicing. On the ensuing power-play the puck was moved around the perimeter effectively while the players cycled around the Rangers net. Finally Nick Wallace scored putting the Tigers in the lead 2-0. The execution, while not perfect, provided many opportunities for point shots from the likes of the David’s, Canavan and Johnston.

Not only did the goals start coming but so did the hits. To their credit the Rangers continued to force a more physical game and it was expected that players like Mark Shiozaki and Jace McGrath would respond with a few hits of their own. On one particular play there was a moment when all 5 Ranger players were prone on the ice simultaneously. Shiozaki set his sights on the rushing Ranger forward and used one of the opponents own players as a screen, a bit of “peek-a-boo, I’m going to hit you”. To round out the scoring Jace McGrath scored another Tigers power-play goal with only 56 seconds left, his 2nd in the last 2 games.

The Tigers leave gladly taking the 2 points, chalking it up to experience, knowing they were lucky this evening.

The next game is Friday against the Humber Valley Sharks who, like the Rangers, are near the bottom of the standings but will no doubt be prepared to take on our Tigers.

Home