NEWS

Aurora Tigers
If there are any critics of the Aurora Tigers still out there, you are cordially invited to the CanLan Ice Sports Centre at York University or Westwood Arena in Toronto over the next two weeks to watch the OJHL Championship series. Why? Because it is about time to give credit (or more credit) to a Tigers organization who, besides a great second round battle with Cobourg, have whacked teams aside like the little puff ball on a cat tree. In 3 rounds, Aurora has balanced offence with defence while getting a big hand in the blue paint.

Still critical? Here are the numbers:

In 15 playoff games so far Aurora has scored 58 goals (18 against Cobourg who was second in the league for Goals Against after the regular season). Their offence is lead by a trio of veterans; Taylor McCloy, Curtis Warren, and Dylan Sikura. Of those three, Warren is the only player who was not a part of the disappointing playoff performance last season, so to see McCloy and Sikura leading the charge should not come as a surprise to anyone.

In those same 15 playoff games, the Tigers have allowed only 28 goals against thanks in large part to great team defines and solid goaltending from the OJHL Goaltender-of-the-Year winner Kevin Entmaa who’s boasting a 1.67GAA and a .946SV%. As a team, the Tigers were able sweep 2 of their 3 series, recently manhandling the runner up in the overall league standings, Kingston was supposed to provide another tough, grueling test for Aurora who many thought could have been worn down after the 7-game series against Cobourg.

If the Tigers are to capture their third title in 10 years, they will need to do it again against the Lakeshore Patriots. The offence will need to keep production up and the defence will need to shut the attack of Toronto down. Both teams statistically are pretty much even heading into Game 1, so it might be a safe bet to say that this series could go 7 games and it could be a back-and-forth affair. Also important to note that thanks to the Aurora Chamber of Commerce’s annual Home Show, the Tigers will be forced to play their ‘Home’ games at Canlan Ice Sports at York University as opposed to the Aurora Community Centre. At the ACC, the Tigers are 6-1-0-1 in the playoffs, and will have to deal with unfamiliar territory.

But for those who continue to speak, the Tigers will once against try to silence those who are picking against them in the Championship series. The dates are set, reservation is not required, but everyone’s attendance is mandatory for this series.

Toronto Lakeshore Patriots
The Statistics can be broken down in many forms but the bottom line is that the new head coach of the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots, Jason Fortier, has led his team to the OJHL Finals.

So far in this post season the Patriots have almost been perfect, 12 decisive victories and one hard to swallow overtime loss. Through the thirteen games that Lakeshore has played their balance attack has been on display. Whether it is Andreas Tsogkas setting up in the faceoff circle on the power play, Rory Bell fighting for the puck down in the corners, Nathan Feric capitalizing on his opportunities or Kevin Shier dominating his one on one opposition, there isn’t anything that this Patriots forward corps can not handle. They dispatched a highly skilled Jr. Canadiens team in 4, neutralized arguably the best top 9 forward corps in the North York Rangers, and were able to sweep a Greg Walters team, something that many thought could not be done. Up against any task these Patriots have been able to adapt and maintain and succeed.

Their next task is an Aurora Tigers team that has taken their opponents to task, much like the Patriots. Head Coach James Richmond has gotten the most out of his roster this season, including the Goaltender-of-the-Year Kevin Entmaa. Toronto Lakeshore’s Defence will have their hands full facing a set of forwards that can do just as much damage as the Patriots forwards. Robert Angiolella, Curtis Warren, Dylan Sikura, Kory Kennedy and Michael Laidley are as dangerous as any 5 in the OJHL and the Patriots will have to play their hearts out. Robert Powers will have to continue to have an impact on the defensive side of the blueline while Tyler Enns, Cory Lauer and Tyler Currie make it a foursome who focus on defence first. Prapavessis has shown that he can handle a lot of the opposition in his face, despite the Georgetown Raiders appearing to get under his skin, but with Niko Kovachis beside him, these 6 D will have to have smooth shifts, minimize the errors, and keep the puck off the Tigers sticks as much as possible.

Everything comes down to the blue paint and you know what you are going to see. Evan Buitenhuis and Kevin Entmaa squaring off. Heck, if Entmaa isn’t 100% there is practically no fear as Andy Munroe came in for Game 7 vs Cobourg and shut them down before starting the Tigers off on the right foot against Kingston.

Boil everything down and it going to be a big series for each team. Not just because this is the OJHL Championship at stake but because both team can match up so well and there is no clear winner. With Fortier behind the bench, former coach and now GM Mike Tarantino behind him, it wont take long for the team to switch their tactics to regain or keep the edge in the game. A potential for a 7 game series is exciting and a possible 4 game sweep can be just as exciting. Let the action begin.