The Raiders from Georgetown invaded the confines of Tigerland last night for the 1st time since 2005. At that time the Raiders defeated the Cats 4 games to 3 in a memorable 7 game North/West OJHL final. Both teams took up where they left off in 05 and treated the fans to a great hockey game that, in the words of Raider coach James Richmond, the game had everything including a penalty shot in the dieing minutes of the 3rd period. Fast end to end action, hard hitting and outstanding goaltending by Black and Capobianco. Throw in 7 great goals, a penalty shot, O/T and a shootout and another great OJAHL game goes into the record books. Oddly enough the Raiders ended up on the right side of another 4-3 result. For the Tiger faithful, they were treated to the Cat's best game to date with new interim coach Lonnie Freeman behind the bench together with Paul Hampton who seemed to take over the head coaches position during the game. On the program he was listed as an assistant coach, but from my position he was running the bench, no question. Whoever was running the bench last night, the "stripped" ones did play their best game of the season so far. Missing in the Tiger lineup, and very noticeable by the way, was #21 Nick Quinn. According to the Roger's announcers, Quinn was out with a touch of the flu, I wonder!!!

There was no scoring in the 1st period last night as the Raider's ace netminder Tony Capobianco kept Aurora at bay stopping 15 shots as the Cats came out of their Den "roaring".

In the 2nd the boys found their scoring eyes as 5 goals were scored, 3 by the Raiders and 2 by the Tigers. For Aurora it was Lucas VanNatter (7th) on a solo effort and Kyle McLaughlin (2nd) from David Morley and Lucas VanNatter. Justin Basso came up big for Georgetown with 2 goals while Sean Teakle added a single. The Raiders very srong during the middle frame outshooting Aurora 20/13. Again both netminders were outstanding.

In the 3rd it was Nic Vangog (6th) who tied it up at the 15.14 mark to send the game into O/T. Lucas VanNatter and David Morley credited with the assists on Nic's goal. During the last 3 mins of the 3rd a penalty shot was awarded to the Raiders. Things looked very bad for Aurora after the questionable call by referee Allan Madill, however Curtis Black, was up to the task and outguessed the Georegetown shooter and O/T was "looming".

Nothing was settled during the O/T and both teams prepared for the shootout. Morley and Rodrigues each scored on their attempts, next Vanderlught and Perfetto were unsuccessful as were VanNatter and Franchini. Finally it was down to Sardella and Basso. Basso scored and as the Aurora fans held their breath Tiger "sharpshooter" Michael Sardella skated in on Tony Capobianco, Tony held his ground and it was all over. The Raiders skated on to the ice to embrace Capobianco and at the other end a very disappointed Tiger team consoled Black who played his best game to date and was awarded the Tiger player of the game for his outstanding performance. A real thriller in Tigerland.

It's not over yet, the Cats get another chance to continue their much improved play as these two excellent teams play the 2nd of their back to back series in Georgetown tonight, should be a good one.

Will Nick Quinn be dressed?????????

My guess is no, we may have seen the last of Quinn in a Tiger uniform. Personally I hope Nick remains a Tiger, he is an excellent defenseman and the Cats need good defensemen.

The ROAR ot the ONCE GOOD tigers is now more like a meow

Sorry, I should not say once good Tigers I should say at one time they had a good team and the largest payroll in the "no player to be paid league"...........

Smash you sure sound like a real winner.

It was an exciting game, for sure, but disappointing the Tigers couldn't pull it out in the end. Black played well, perhaps his best game this year, to echo SMC's comments.

I felt the Tigers had the better scoring opportunities, despite being outshot, particularly in the third period. However, something has to be done to get the Tigers to correct an anemic powerplay. They were 1 for 11 last night. The one thing I would suggest is to stop playing the perimeter and start focusing on getting to the net. It is shocking to see a team with this talent pass the puck around without any benefit, not to mention without a shot.

I'll be following the game tonight remotely, and wish them the best.

Go Tigers Go!

"It is shocking to see a team with this talent pass the puck around without any benefit, not to mention without a shot."

A shot on goal is never a bad play. It might not be the best choice but it is never a bad play.

As Leafs' coach Wilson told Grabovski, "You cannot score if you do not shoot."

Often you can hear fans shouting SHOOT, SHOOT. But there isn't a shooting lane or there is no screen set up, so, they do not shoot.

I am with you Tentative . Shoot anyway. It might hit somebody or something and go in. You just never know.

Wayjoy