The Tigers travelled to rural Georgetown for the 1st time since 2005 last night to face the powerful Raiders for the 2nd time in as many nights. The Cats came up with another great game but unfortunately left on the wrong side of another 4-3 score. As previously mentioned Aurora lost to Georgetown in the 2005 N/W OJHL final 4 games to 3(7). Friday night the Cats lost to the Raiders 4-3(7)at the ACC and last night it was another 4-3(7). If you are superstitious, you may think that 7 is not a very lucky number for Aurora, however not being a superstitious person personally, what I saw from the two losses to the Raiders was that the Tigers are on the right track and have played like a different team the last two games, the only iunfortunate thing was that they had to meet the powerful Raiders in back to back games at this time. With Lonnie Freeman at the helm, the Cats have come up with their two best efforts of the season to date and they will improve with every game from here on in.

The Raiders scored early in the 1st period last night when Steve Perfetto beat Curtis Black at the 4.50 mark. The Tigers got that one back later in the period when leading scorer Lucas VanNatter knotched his 8th of the season on another solo effort. Raiders outshot the Tigers 17/9 and the period ended in a 1-1 tie.

Georgetown cranked it up to 3-1 in the 2nd on gaols by Justin Basso and Jeremy Wick. Both these guys have been bad news for the Tabbies. The Cats fought back with 2 goals of their own, one at the 9.00 min mark by newcomer defenseman Mark Ramkema. Ramkema fired a "rocket" from the point beating Capobianco on the glove side. Jeff Vanderlugt and George Lovatsis earned the assists. Then with a minute and a half left in the 2nd, Vanderlugt found the mark from Andrew Secco and Matt Chiarantano. Shots on goal were even at 10 and the teams skated off the ice deadlocked at 3.

Georgetown scored early again in the 3rd, this time it was Marc Franchini who beat Black on a low shot as he crossed the blueline. The shot didn't appear to be any trouble, however it glanced off Black's stick on a funny angle and found the net. Very unfortunate for Black who was playing another outstanding game. Just one of those goals that happen now and then. The rest of the 3rd saw both teams come close to scoring but both Black and Capobianco came up with some fine goaltending. The Tigers pulled Black with 2 mins to go and threw everything at Capobianco but couldn't beat him. The best chance came in the dieing secs of the game when David Morley was set up all alone in front looking at a caping open net, he fired and amazingly Capobianco got his pad in front of it and it was all over. The Raiders outshot the Cats by a wide margin in the period 14/3. Aurora were without the services of Nick Quinn who is still nursing a touch of the flu.

The Tigers now sport a .500 record 6-6, however a quick analyses of their 6 losses will show that they have lost 2 to Oakville and 2 to Georgetown during their improvement period. They have one more tough game to face before their schedule turns to the teams in the bottom half of the standings. The tough game will be this Friady night in Aurora against the undefeated Kingston Voyageurs. The Voyageurs have one game before they meet the Tigers Friday, but I'm sure that they will win that one and come to the ACC with a clean record.

After watching the Tiger's performance in the two Georgetown games and with Lonnie Freeman directing, I'm confident that the Tabbies will be the team that will end the Voyageur's winning streak come Friday night in Aurora.

If you doubt me, visit Tigertown Friday and witness an improved Tiger team on the roll.

The Vees have to lose sooner or later. It sounds like the Tigers are on the right track but unfortunately just came up a little short against a powerhouse from Georgetown, SMC .

Judging from the result Friday night in Huntsville, they might well have been on the short end that night if I read our buddy, Craigshaw 's a account of the game correctly.

The Otters played the Vees pretty even up throughout the night and had the margin in the third period. But the Vees, the veteran team that they are, broke Huntsville's back with a trio of unanswered goals in the 3rd to win 5-2.

I might have to make the trek up to the ACC Friday night to see to it the Vees do not lose.

The Vees do not know it yet, but they simply cannot keep winning without me in attendance.

I told them precisely that last year when they went to the RBC. I told coach Robinson that they would not win without me there. And...they did not.

Every fan likes to think they can make a difference to their team. This one, is no different than the others.



Wayjoy

Hey Wayne, great to hear from you.

You are so right, eventually the Vees will lose, when who knows? I recall in 2006/07 the RBC Tigers went, I believe, close to 20 games before they were beaten by Collingwood. They lost 3 more the rest of the way ending up with 4 losses on the regular season.

Seriously though the Tigers have improved greatly just in the last two games, I don't know if it's because of the recent changes that have transpired in "Tigertown" but whatever it is the "Cats" are on the prowl and are licking their chops waiting for Friday night.

It would certainly be great if you did make the trip to Aurora, probably the first time that a Kingston Junior "A" team has ever played the Tigers in Aurora, I'm sure someone will correct me on that one. Not only will you see a great game but you will be able to listen to the #1 PA Announcer in the league (heh, heh).

Love to see you there Wayne.

smc57 as i have seen with auroras recent close games with aurora they seem to be moving in the right direction as are my otters.

with each game they get better and better. the forward lines are clicking well and with Lepera between the pipes and chartrand ready whenever needed they have the goaltending 1-2 they needed early on. the addition of brad langford from Cooch is a great pickup as he is a steady big d-man that can play.

this otters team will make the playoffs after a terrible start. there is a lot of talent in that dressing room and once the new players and new coaches start to gel with the current players good things will happen.

honestly friday night i was never so excited to lose a game. the game we played against kingston was great hockey that i know they are capable of

Craig Shaw
Huntsville Otters

Vees' great record, so far, is largely due to the fact they have not played any of the big dogs in Georgetown, Oakville or Aurora.

Yes they played Oakville in the showcase and beat them 1-0 but.........

I am certain the coaching staff is not terribly giddy about the Vees' record to date. But I am safe to assume that they don't mind the schedule as it has been to this date.

It gives them time to work the wrinkles out without having too many really tough opponents too early in the season as the Tigers have.

Repeating as League Champions is such a tough thing to do in junior hockey. In fact, it is not easy in any team sport.

It takes a certain amount of luck, a solid core of players and a supporting cast all of whom will execute when the time is right.

Time will tell if the Vees are up to it.

But, I do like what I have seen so far. In particular, their ability to win those close games by finding a way, any way, to do it.

That quality is really important come playoff time, as you know.

Playoffs are a long way off and a lot can transpire.

Stay tuned.



Wayjoy