Tigers Fail to Capitalise as Edinburgh Progress
The Tigers suffered the cruellest of defeats in the Scottish Cup semi-final on Sunday night as they lost 1-0 on penalty shots after drawing 1-1 with the Edinburgh Capitals in regulation time.
An action packed opening period saw both netminders tested as the teams traded attacks. Tigers had an early opportunity as the Capitals felt the wrath of the referee’s whistle. They couldn’t convert on the extended powerplay though and the period remained goalless.
The Tigers opened the second session in enthusiastic form as both units came close to opening the scoring. The game took an unexpected break as Referee David Graham took a puck to the side of the head leading to a period of play with just 2 officials. Graham resumed his duties after a short recovery with the score still tied at 0-0 and soon brought his whistle back in to action as Capitals Michael Ireland received a 2+2 penalty for a horrendous and dangerous slash on Grant Reekie as he broke on net. Another Caps penalty saw the Tigers on their 2nd session of 5 on 3 in the game, but despite dominating possession could not make the advantage count and the period finished scoreless.
With 20 minute remaining and a place in the Scottish Cup final at stake both teams entered the game with added intensity. In the 44th minute Tigers broke the deadlock as Mark McLeod latched on to pass from Andy Henderson to tip the puck past Mallinson in the Tigers net. The period continued to be closely matched but with 9 minutes remaining Capitals Gary Hughes received the puck on the point and evaded the Tigers efforts to block his shot to fire high past Robbie Balfour. Tigers again came close as the period ran down as Graeme Carstairs broke free and Paul Guilcher followed up on the rebound but Mallison refused to be beaten. A late penalty against Eck Purves saw the Tigers end the game with a man in the box but there was to be no regulation winner and the buzzer sounded with the teams tied at 1-1.
As per the rules of the competition the tie was to be settled by penalty shots. Tigers Paul Guilcher was first to go but his move was countered by Mallison. Gautuchi made an impressive deke move to befuddle Balfour and give the Capitals the advantage. Grant Reekie’s attempt was saved by a gossamer touch of the catcher before Balfour poke checked Patterson to keep the penalty shootout score at 1-0. With the weight of the team on his shoulders Kris Phillips stepped up, strided down the ice and let loose a wicked snapshot that narrowly missed the target and sent the Capitals in to delirium and the Tigers home to rue their failure to finish the game in regulation.
Final Score: Capitals 1 – Tigers 1 (Capitals win 1-0 on penalties)
Tigers MoM: Robbie Balfour
