TIGERS PRESS RELEASE JANUARY 20, 2016
Press Release
It was a do or die scenario for the jungle cats as they faced 2 must win games this week. Wednesday the Bandits from Lloydminster came to Vermilion as did the Onion Lake Border Chiefs on Friday.
Vermilion has played well against the Bandits this year having won 2 of 3 meetings heading into Wednesday's affair. Both team came out strong to start the game, firing shots early and often. Matt Imray, the Bandits backstop was on his game giving up a lone powerplay goal to the Tigers in the first period as Lucas Dennill notched his 6th goal of the season.
The 2nd period was all Lloyd as they pumped 12 shots on Tiger netminder Danton Brooks. The Lloydminster native battled all night turning aside all 33 shots he faced as the Tigers pulled out a 2-0 win. This was Brooks' first NEAJBHL shutout. Captain Nolan Blair scored his 8th of the season into the empty net to seal the victory.
Friday saw a game Onion Lake squad make their second and final visit to Vermilion. Onion Lake who sat in 4th place at the time of the game has been a tough out most nights. The game got off to a rocky start with both teams struggling to create many chances offensively. The Chiefs came out strong in the 2nd frame as they jumped out to a 1-0 lead.
Some greasy work down low 5 minutes later was rewarded as Ian Gadsby chipped in his 4th of the season to tie it up. The Tigers then took control in the 2nd firing 18 shots on goal. The 3rd was all Vermilion as Lucas Dennill and Dalyn Borysiuk capped off a 3-1 win. Goalie Danton Brooks has been sensational as of late picking up 5 wins in his last 6 starts and is featuring a .949 save percentage over those starts.
The Tigers return to home action this Friday as the Wainwright Bisons are in town and then the Tigers hit the road for a date with Saddle Lake on Sunday.
News and Notes: Captain Nolan Blair suffered a lower body injury in the win against Onion Lake. No timetable on his return yet, however a few weeks is likely. The Tigers sit 6 points back of 8th place Lloydminster with 2 games in hand. The Bandits have dropped 5 straight games.
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