Tigers Defeat Brandon 6-1

Just a quick brief summary.

A very good game by the Tigers. They took control of the game from the opening shift and never let go. Curtis Valk's opening goal put him on a 15 game point scoring streak.

The Tigers were down sparkplugs Chad Butcher and Gavin Broadhead to injuries and are listed day to day.

It was great to see Koules with a 4 point night as he hasn't hit the score-sheet and hasn't looked himself the last couple games on the road trip. That first goal gave him his confidence back. Markus Eisenschmid also had a good game for himself and is on a season high 3 game point streak.

I don't know why but it seems like Sanford gets 3-4 prime scoring chances every game. The refs reviewed a play where it looked like the puck was in Curtis Honey's pads which were in the net...after a review it was deemed no goal and he received a penalty shot and was stopped trying to go five-hole.

Anthony Ast came very close to getting a hat trick.

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I thought after the first period Brandon came out hitting in the second but they couldn't really sustain strong enough pressure. The Tigers were using quick passing plays to get out of their zone, and their accurate passing transition game led to quite a few rushes up the ice with speed. A lot of guys played well including Marek Langhamer. He did't get tested too often, but the few chances Brandon had Marek stopped some high quality shots.

Up Next: Tiger play in Red Deer tomorrow.

Edmonton Defeat Tigers 5-1

Thoughts

First Period
I thought the Tigers got off to a very good start. They started the game outshooting Edmonton 7-0, with a 1-0 lead, before the Oil Kings showed up to play hockey.

Some good linematching led to the Tigers first goal, as the Oil Kings top D pairing was tired, and out came the Tigers top line. Valk got his stick on a point shot tipping it past Tristan Jarry.

2nd and Third
I thought the second and third periods were controlled largely by the Oil Kings. They finished every hit, and went out of their way to make sure they finished every hit, and it really slowed the Tigers forwards down.

Instead of coming out 3 strong....it was 1 or 2 against 3 and a dump in.    You could see it on the ice they were struggling in the 2nd and had no legs in the third period. Perhaps it was because of their 3rd game in 4 nights, but I think the Oil Kings finishing their checks also had a lot to do with it as well.


Overall
The Tigers have been playing decent hockey as of late, but tonight wasn't a good night for them.
This loss further pushed a nail into a coffin with their hopes of getting first pace. It puts the Oil Kings 7 games ahead, with 21 remaining in the schedule...The Tigers do play the Oil Kings 3 more times.

The Radio guys were giving a lot of credit to Tristan Jarry, and while he did play well, the Oil Kings also hit 3 posts, and they held the edge in the flow of play.