Another close one in Newmarket tonight as the Canes nip the Tigers 3-2 in a closely fought season finale before 730 fans who came to see a typical Tiger/Hurricane game. They were not disappointed as both teams went at each other in end to end action for 3 periods. The teams stuck to hockey as only 10 minor penalties were handed out by referee Ross Bain. Brian Soso and Mark Thorburn played the games that they are both capable of with Soso scoring 2 goals for the Canes while Thorburn scored 1 goal and added an assist for the Tabbies. Newmarket's 3rd goal, which proved to be the winner, was scored by Ventura from Buck and Henderson at the 18.39 mark of the 2nd period. Michael Sardella had a 2 point night for the Cats scoring 1 and adding an assist.

Bright light for the Tigers was APM goaltender Kyle Newton, in only his 4th game with the Tigers, turning aside 31/34 shots sporting a 1.00 GAA since being called up by the Cats. At the other end, Matt Milne had a 23/25 night. Tigers were still without Jordan Watts, Ben Heaphy and number 1 goaltender Aaron Barton. Will they surface against the Otters on Sunday? we will have to wait and see.

After 6 regular league games, the Hurricanes win overall 5-1, however every game could have gone either way.

Record for the season:

Sept 21st - Newmarket 7, Aurora 6.
Nov 11th - Newmarket 3, Aurora 2. (O/T)
Nov 15th - Newmarket 3, Aurora 1.
Nov 18th - Aurora 4, Newmarket 1.
Jan 25th - Newmarket 6, Aurora 5. (S/O)
Feb 7th - Newmarket 3, Aurora 2.

Only 3 goals (Canes 23, Tigers 20) separated the two teams over the 6 games, throw in an O/T and a S/O, you can't get much closer than that. Don't know yet whether they will meet in the playoffs, but if they do look for a great series, these two teams never cease to entertain.

Where does 1st place stand now?

The Otters defeated the Terriers tonight 4-0, so they still trail the Canes by 1 pt. The Otters and the Canes go at each other tomorrow night in Huntsville. A win by Newmarket clinches 1st place, if Huntsville wins then it all comes down to the Otter/Tiger game on Sunday afternoon in Aurora. The Otters will have to beat the Tigers to claim 1st place, assuming that the Canes defeat Villanova on Sat night. I think we can take that game as a win for the Hurricanes.

If the Tigers play as they did tonight, then the Otters will have their hands full. Should be a great game especially if the Otters are in the position to clinch 1st place. Game time is 2.30 pm.

wasn't the september 21st game go into overtime? sorry if i am incorrect

"huntotter"

The game was tied 6-6 late in the final period in Aurora, when K.J. Ramolla scored for the Canes at 16.55 of the 3rd. The Tigers pulled their goalie and almost tied it up to send it into O/T.

Interesting note, Brian Soso was on a rampage at that time and after a few penalties was thrown out of the game at 1.26 of the 3rd. Big conrast to his performance last night with 2 goals. Obviously the Canes have straightened him out and he is sticking to hockey, great for the Canes, not so good for opposing teams.

i guess being under the league microscope will do that to a player. hes calmed down a lot. hopefully hes off his game tonight against the otters but the real threats on the canes are matt milne and todd hosmer.

craigshaw...

Realy? I think the players would be Todd Hosmer and Josh Mcquade if he is playing if not then K.J Ramola or Brian Soso.


Smc...

Thanks for the info. I went to that game but i guess since that was so long ago i forgot about it. It kind of sounds like last nights game. Except for the time and the players who scored. Newmarket got ahead in the second and aurora pulled their goalie to try to score again, but it didn't happen.

soso only has 3 goals against huntsville in the previous 5 games.
mcquade has 1 goal in 5 games.

hosmer is the teams mvp by far on the scoresheet

milne has played excellent this year for newmarket all season long.

with dawsons shutout performance last night it may come down to a goalie battle but it will be tough for newmarket to beat huntsville who have a lot of momentum and are at home. all in all should be a good game for a who attend.

wish i could go. busy. never thought about how well they played against huntsville, just throughout the year with newmarket. but now that you showed me that, i think that it could be stuck to those players to not be able to score that much against huntsville. although anyone can score on another team if they try. i am sure the two players had gotten assists against huntsville because they are good player and i would be surprised if they havn't. hope huntsville wins tonight and like you said craigshaw, huntsville has the home town advantage so they will be very pumped.