Kootenay Defeat Tigers 3-2

Game Thoughts
I thought the Tigers threw the body out a little more tonight. They certainly gave Kootenay some war wounds.

I thought the Tigers played very well for the first two periods. Previously they have been having trouble breaking out of their end when pressured.

They played much better breaking out of their own end and controlled the flow of play. Crisp Tape to tape passes and guys furiously skating to get into position when they didn't have the puck. The Tigers won the first two periods. (Although there were two brutal giveaways which gave Kootenay mini-breakaways which Tyler Bunz stopped)

Kootenay managed to hang around and keep the game close and capitalized on some chances in the third period. In the third period suddenly the Tiger forwards were taking off early miles down the Ice trying for home run passes and Kootenay was forcing turnovers.

Kootenay already without their top defenceman in Brayden Mcnabb, saw Paul Martin injured after he fought Kale Kessey in the second period. He didn't return until 10 minutes remained in the third with a new jersey and a full face shield. Hayden Rintoul was also injured I didn't see him out in the third period.

Nathan Lieuwen played real strong in net and didn't give the Tigers any easy goals.

Wacey Hamilton
The onus is on him to play more disciplined. He cost his team dearly taking two dumb penalties. A lazy hook and Kootenay scored on the powerplay. Then a lazy slash which negated a Tigers powerplay in the dieing minutes.

Emerson Etem
Probably his best game this year at the Arena. He had 4-5 top notch scoring opportunities including hitting a post. Lieuwen will give him nightmares about a few of his chances.

Curtis Valk
Nice to see him snipe one in off the crossbar. He has a ton of skill but behind a lot of guys on the depth charts.

Nathan Lieuwen
Played unreal. He displayed an incredible lateral movement ability and was very square to the shooter. His style reminded me a lot of Tyler Bunz.

Scoring Summary
1. M.H Busenius, (1) (Etem, Kessy), 11:07
(Shot from the point deflected off a Kootenay Ice player.)

1. KTN Antilla, (5) (Leach, King), 11:50
(Leach fired a shot from the point, the puck bounced off the endboards right to Antilla who had a partial open net

1. M.H Valk, (1) (Etem, Bunz), 12:58
(2 on 1. Valk hung onto the puck and ripped a shot off the crossbar)

3. KTN Antilla, (6) (Magnus, Ismond), 2:55
Jesse Ismond made a nice move to deke around Scott McKay. Ismond fed it to a wide open Christian Magnus who took a shot with the net half open but Tyler Bunz made a nice save. Joe Antilla swatted home an easy rebound.

3. KTN Fraser, (5) (King, Leach), 14:52 (PP)
Matt Fraser corralled a loose puck in the corner walked out into the high slot and fired a shot top shelf.

3 Stars
1. KTN - 20 Joe Antilla
2. M.H - 26 Emerson Etem
3. KTN - 31 Nathan Lieuwen

Overall
I'm not entirely displeased I saw some good things out there in their own zone in the first two periods. Were still waiting to see a complete 100% effort for a full game though.

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