Tigers down Comets in Halloween Thriller

A Kris Phillips double and a Ciaran Hoggan shutout were enough to ensure the Dundee Tigers booked their place in the Autumn Cup final on Saturday night. With the score blanked at 0-0 after the first leg of the tie this Halloween fixture was set up to be an edge of the seat thriller.

The teams lined up in the first period with each squad missing a number of influential figures. This didn’t detract from the action though as the game got off to a fast paced and exciting start. Comets made the early headway as Ciaran Hoggan was called in to action in just the first shift of the game. The Tigers were to provide their fans with the first treat of the night in the 9th minute as Ross Bree passed to Ian Carstairs on the point whose shot was beautifully redirected past former Tiger Matty Michie by Kris Phillips to put the hosts ahead. Tigers had some excellent opportunities to extend their lead as play continued but the scoreline was to stay the same as the period came to an end.

The second stanza began with the Tigers on the powerplay. Dominating possession could not be converted to in to goals though and the Tigers carried on with the most slender of leads. Tigers Eck Purves and Comets John Gordon were assessed penalties in the 26th minute allowing a 2 minute period of very open 4 on 4 hockey to ensue. The Tigers were awarded a penalty shot as Scott Marr was denied a clear breakaway by the hook of Gordon Nelson. Marr was unable to convert as Michie stood strong in the Comets net. It was then Comets turn to play with the man advantage as Ross Bree was given 2 minutes for tripping. The visitors were unable to capitalise on some impressive possession and the period ended as it began, with the Tigers holding on to 1 goal lead.

With 20 minutes to go and a winner guaranteed to be decided on the night the third period got off to a nervy start. Kris Phillips looked to have settled those nerves just 2 minutes in though as he slammed home the puck, but the goal was washed out as Ross Bree was assessed a penalty for goaltender interference. There were no issues in the 49th minute though as Phillips put the Tigers 2 clear on the scoreboard as he fired home expertly at the back post. Tigers went down to 4 men twice in the closing 10 minutes but the strong, and at times desperate, penalty killing units did their job well and the hosts finished the game with a well earned victory and a place in the Autumn Cup Final against either the Edinburgh Capitals or Paisley Pirates.

Final Score: Tigers 2 – Comets 0 (aggregate 2-0)

Tigers MOM: Ciaran Hoggan