Nov 11, 2023 | Stu Wright | 86 views
Building the Foundations
The U14A Tigers had back-to-back games this weekend, looking to take the pressure to Niagara Falls away and hosting the Falcons on home ice. After two close games with great efforts both ways, the Tigers came up short, dropping the games 4-2 and 5-3 respectively.
Friday night saw the Tigers challenge the Flyers in their home arena, hoping to repeat their outstanding preseason performance against an undefeated Niagara Falls side. The game was a back and forth affair, seeing Niagara Falls take an early lead against the Tigers, until Seguin from Marleau fired up the boys from Welland to tie the game at 1. The lead didn't last long however, with two defensive miscommunications allowing the Flyers to go up 3-1 by the end of the second. Seguin (2) once again came up clutch from a big pass by Jones late in the third, bringing the Tigers one goal away from a tie. The effort wasn't enough though, with the Tigers allowing one more goal before game end and ultimately falling 4-2 on the road.
Following the close game, Welland looked to defend their barn Saturday evening against a similar standing Falcons team, hoping to even up their series score after a loss in October. The Tigers came out faster this game, nearly scoring several times in the first and controlling much of the play. The energy began to slow on the back of several penalty kills, as Welland later dropped three goals against in just 4 minutes of play. Matte (23 saves) held the fort down early in the third to launch the Tigers counter attack, as goals from Schertzing, Garofalo, and Rousseau brought them within one goal in a 4-3 hockey game. Once again, a great comeback effort just fell short, as an empty net goal sealed the game and the Tigers dropped the game 5-3 at home.
Despite the two losses, the Tigers are beginning to click. Goaltending remains a key part of the Tigers success, defense are controlling their end and even aiding in the offensive efforts, and forwards are starting to find their groove on the rush and in the attacking end. Highlights of both games see a fantastic penalty kill as an entire team effort (due to lots of practice in-game) and an ever-bettering breakout. The Tigers record sits at 2-6-0, however their growth on the ice is a bright light at the end of the tunnel.
Welland gets a much deserved break over the next week, with their next game seeing them take on the West Niagara Flying Aces at Peach King Arena on November 22nd at 7:15pm for a much anticipated rematch.