Well, it was goaltender's night in Oakville as the Blades edged the Tigers by a score of 1-0, to take a 2-1 lead in the series back to the Tiger's Den on Friday night. One thing I wouldn't give you 2 cents for, was the shot clock which became a bit of a game for the fans. After every shot on a net, it became a guessing game as to whether the Tigers or the Blades would get credit and in some cases neither one got credit. To nobody's surprise the final shots on goal, Tigers 39, Blades 35 on pointstreak does not agree with the final shot clock. Doesn't matter a bunch, just thought it was a little amusing.
The Tigers started strong in the 1st and solidly outplayed the Blades for 20 mins but just couldn't beat Scott Greenham who made several key saves to keep the Cats off the scoresheet. The Tigers missed the net on several point blank chances and had enough scoring chances in the 1st to put the game on ice, but such is the game of hockey.
In the 2nd, in my opinion the Cats carried the play again and had many more good scoring chances than the Blades but again could not capitalize partly because of shots missing in close and Greenham's outstanding play. Aurora had a goal disallowed in the 2nd and I still don't know why. At first it appeared that the net was off, but the net was not adjusted. Referee Rob Palm had a discussion with the Tiger Capts however no announcement was made as to why the goal was disallowed. Palm must have lost sight of the puck, which would make me wonder since the shot came from the slot about 10 feet out. Anyway it didn't count and that's the way "the cookie crumbles"..
In the 3rd the Tiger once again kept up their fierce forechecking and caused a couple of giveaways by the Blade's defense, two as a matter of fact, that resulted in breaks right in on Greenham, but once again the Cats came up empty handed. At this point both Greenham and Aaron Barton were displaying their prowess, but finally at the 8.44 mark Nick McParland crossed the Tiger's blueline and blasted a shot past defensman Jordan Smith that Barton, I'm sure didn't even see, I know I didn't see it until it hit the top left hand corner of the net as it was still rising. No question Barton was screened on the shot. I don't think many NHL goalies would have stopped the shot. The assists went to Braden Birch and Luke Moodie. The Tigers attempted to tie it up, but didn't get to pulling Barton as they ran into a penalty with less than 2 mins to play.
A very close game to be sure, with Barton and Greenham playing key roles in the final score of 1-0. Now it's back to the Tiger's Den on Friday night for a must win scenario for the Tigers, I'm sure they will be up to the task. Game time is 7.30 pm.
Speaking of Rob Palm, i don't think he did a very good job. He let a lot of calls go in the first and quite a few go in the second, and i am still confused on how Jordan Watts got 2 min for roughing and another 2 for roughing after the whistle.
Question for anyone who was at the game:
did anyone see Mark Thorburn deliver a head check at the end of the game? if so who did he hit and where did it take place? because according to pointstreak he got a 2 and a 10 for Head Checking.
Barton actually did see that shot taken by Nick McParland that resulted in a goal, but i think it was deflected off of Jordan Smith's stick.
Wow, what a report. I think someone has been drinking the "Tiger cool aid" and saw the game through black and yellow tinted glasses. Oakville did not play well and still won. That is something you have to do through long playoff series if you want to move on. Good for them. This series is far from over.
Does Oakville ever play a good game??. When do you think they are going to play a good game? So far they have played 3 bad games.
I guess if you keep saying they are playing badly, then you are covered in the end if they lose the series. You can just say, "well the Blades played badly".
I guess you and I did see the same game last night. You are right, with the number of times the Blades "coughed up" up the puck, normally the Tigers would score at least a few goals. They had their chances, never seen them miss so many at point blank range. Can't remember the last time Aurora was ever shut out.
As far as Thorburn being suspended, my take on it is, since he only was assessed a 2 min minor initially on the head check, then there is no suspension.
Did you see the head check? I guess the only one who saw it was Palm.
I have seen Oakville play better. They played better in game 1. Last night the only chances the tigers had were on Oakville giveaways. Unforced errors. They weren't even being pressured and they gave up the puck. They will lose this series if that keeps happening. The tigers are looking for that though, they hang back until the other team makes a mistake and try to capitalize on it. They did it all last night. High off the glass and take the iceing, then wait and wait until opportunity comes about. You hear Dupont all night long "get it off the glass" take the iceing and wait. Hey nothing wrong with that. They stayed in the game. After three games it is clear though Oakville is bigger, faster and has better goaltending. It is a great series and should go 6 or 7.
"they weren't even being pressured and they gave up the puck" !!
Vanny, are you sure you were at the right Arena last night? Wow if you don't think that the Tiger forecheckers weren't pressuring the Blades, then you had to be at another game.
At least you agree they "coughed up" the puck a lot, they do that tomorrow night and it will be a "rout" for Aurora.
They do forecheck well and very well at home. Many of Oakville's giveaways were unforced, not all but many. That was my point. We agree on one thing, if that keeps happening they will lose.
