Nov 06, 2019 | jdisher | 264 views
Tigers Rally Past Panthers
Fans of the Welland 91.7 Giant FM/Country 89 Tigers have often been treated to games this season where fifteen skaters are playing as one and it is very enjoyable to watch and has been quite successful to date. Wednesday's effort was largely fifteen skaters playing as individuals, and while they were fortunate to escape with the two points, it was a game that many would quickly like to put behind them.
Full credit is given to the Pelham AE Panthers who came ready to play and jumped out to a 2-0 advantage after outplaying Welland during the first ten minutes of play and into the second. Griffin Eller stormed down the ice and put them into the lead only twenty-nine seconds into the game and Graham Latham doubled that advantage five minutes afterwards from Maverick Halsted and Michael Longo.
Julian Belcastro would finally get the home side on the scoreboard four minutes into the second period with Chace Buti following up fifteen seconds later to tie the game at deuces. Matteo Mete would net the game-winning goal with 2:22 remaining in the period and Tanner Cutler would score one minute later as Welland took a two goal lead heading into the final period.
The game remained a tight one until Welland pulled away in the final 4:31 of regulation with Cutler, Mete and Belcastro each scoring for the second time and McComber rounding out the offense.
The penalty-killing of the Tigers remained a strength and one of the few highlights of the evening, successfully nullifying eight minutes of infractions. Pelham played a penalty-free game in contrast.
Welland improves to 8-0-1 with the victory and will take to the ice in Dunnville on Saturday at 1:50pm for their third and final meeting of the regular season with the Mudcats.
The Tigers will also participate in the Hometown Hockey events in Welland on Sunday with a ball hockey game scheduled against the Major Peewee A Tigers at Welland's Civic Square at noon and the Parade of Champions to follow downtown at 4:45pm.