Tigers Toppled in Wild Wild West

Four unanswered goals in the first period, including three powerplay markers, gave the North Ayrshire Wild a dream start on Sunday night as they defeated the visiting Dundee Tigers 7 - 4.

Tigers first shift looked promising as Scott Marr tested the home keeper but the early hope evaporated as Graeme Carstairs was assessed a penalty for roughing. The hosts took advantage as just 3 minutes Liam Brady's blast from the point evaded Matt Landsburgh in the Tigers net. The Wild did a good job in restricting Tiger shots and were back on target in the 12th minute as Ryan Parkin took advantage of the Tigers inability to clear the puck from the danger area to chop home. A minute later David Thomson grabbed the Wild's 3rd on the PP before grabbing his 2nd of the night and Wild's 4th with another powerplay marker with 5 minutes remaining.

Tigers looked hungry as the 2nd period got under way but another early goal from the home team again stemmed the flow, Colin Henning firing home from the point. With 7 minutes played Alan Maitland worked free to land the Wild's 6th of the night as his low shot sneaked in off Landsburgh's outstretched pad. Paul Guilcher opened Tigers account as the mid point of the game approached as his slapshot from just inside the blue line beat the Wild keeper high over his left shoulder. Tigers had a chance to decrease the deficit in the closing minutes as Scott Swiatek sat a roughing penalty, but it was the Wild who increased their lead as Colin Henning picked up a loose puck in his defensive end as Tigers pressed, and skated the length of the ice before hitting the roof of the net to light the lamp for the home team's 7th with 30 seconds of the period remaining.

Tigers needed something special in the closing session and the fire that was there in bursts in the first 40 minutes again came to the surface. Ross Bree was rewarded for his tenacity in the house 47th minute as he managed to poke home the loose puck from between the Wild netminder's leg to follow up his original shot. With 7 minutes remaining in the game John Robertson hit the target for Tigers 3rd with a magnificent first time slapshot. Just a minute later Scott Marr made it 4 for the visitors as his slapshot made it's way through traffic to beat the Wild keeper on his blocker side and bring a glimmer of hope to the Tigers bench. It was a case of too little, too late however as the home side shut up shop in the closing minutes as Tigers pressed. Matt Landsburgh was called in to action late in the game and made 2 magnificent saves just before the final buzzer sounded.

Final score: North Ayrshire Wild 7 - Dundee Tigers 4

Tigers MoM: John Robertson