Tigers facing “growing pains” in early season : The Auroran : http://www.newspapers-online.com/auroran

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Tigers facing “growing pains” in early season

By Jake Courtepatte

It's not really fair to judge the strength of a team only five games into a hockey season, and Aurora Tigers head coach James Richmond isn't doing so.

His team continued their mediocre start to the 2013-2014 OJHL season last weekend, putting up one win and one loss against St. Michael's Buzzers and Georgetown Raiders, respectively.

Bouncing back from a shutout loss at home last Saturday against Lindsay, the Tigers began the week Friday back in their offensive groove with a 4 – 1 win over the Buzzers.

The Tigers absolutely barraged the Buzzers' net with shots throughout the game, totalling over fifty in the campaign.

“We really dominated the play,” said Richmond. “We had really good time of possession, as you could see from our shot total.”

“We had a lot of chances, we should have scored more goals.”

Richmond commended the goaltending of the Buzzer's George Argiropolous, who played all sixty minutes in the loss.

The Tigers were then put into a high-pressure match on Sunday, facing Georgetown at an OJHL Governor's Showcase in Oakville.

In what has defined the early part of the Tigers' season, a bad bounce off the glass partition on a dump-in came right out to Raider Brendan Jacome for an easy tap-in to go ahead 1 – 0.

With time running out in the first, Anthony Marra put one past Tigers' goaltender Andy Munroe on the powerplay.

The Raiders went into the second intermission up 2 – 0, despite only putting eleven shots on net.

Aurora pressed hard for the tying goal with Munroe pulled, however they could not complete the comeback to drop below .500.

Last season's OJHL finalists are now 2 – 3 in the young season, and sit at the bottom of the North Division, albeit playing the least number of games.

However, Richmond is confident in his team's ability to bounce back.

“It's just growing pains of a young team right now. I think we'll get better as the season goes along.”

And don't let standings fool you. Although the team may have a number of rookies, they're stepping up to the challenge.

Rookie Cameron Morrison has picked up three goals and two assists this season, leading the team with five points in five games.

Barely sixteen years old, the 6'3 forward shows long-term potential.

“He's been exceptional,” said Richmond. “He's been one of our best players. It shows a lot, for a young kid to step into a Junior A situation and do what he's doing so far.”

The Tigers hit the ice Friday at 7:30 p.m. when they host the Stouffville Spirit. The Tigers put a downer on the Spirit's home opener earlier this season, beating the home team 4 – 2.

For stats, schedules, and more information on the Aurora Tigers, visit www.auroratigers.pointstreaksites.com.

Excerpt: It’s not really fair to judge the strength of a team only five games into a hockey season, and Aurora Tigers head coach James Richmond isn’t doing so.

Post date: 2014-10-01 14:21:35
Post date GMT: 2014-10-01 18:21:35
Post modified date: 2014-10-08 20:31:49
Post modified date GMT: 2014-10-09 00:31:49