Tigers Pounce to Grab a Point Against Kestrels

Final Score: Kirkcaldy Kestrels 3 - Dundee Tigers 3 SOG: On Kestrels - 31 On Tigers - 30

The Dundee Tigers maintained their unbeaten start to the season in the most dramatic fashion at Fife Ice Arena on Sunday night. A scrappy first period, where Tigers saw themselves kill off 2 early penalties, ended scoreless. Both team created chances but Kestrels keeper Andrew Little and Tigers Mark McGill stood strong in their respective nets. The game ignited in the second session and an exciting end to end battle ensued. The visitors looked like they were gaining the upper hand in terms of shots but an ill-timed line change just before the mid way point of the period allowed the Kestrels the opening they needed as Robin Floyd and Sean Cocherane took advantage of a 2 on 0 breakaway to give the hosts the lead. As the period came to a close Kestrels doubled their advantage through Allan Anderson with a creative finish off the back of McGill as he rounded the Tigers net. Late penalties to the home side meant the Tigers ended the period with a 2 man advantage and Tigers Captain Paul Guilcher nearly pulled one back but his attempt was saved on the line and time ran out with the Kestrels 2-0 ahead. The final stanza got underway with the Kestrels still killing a double penalty but despite some great work by the Tigers the score remained the same as the penlties expired. Tigers continued to press and did get the goal they deserved with 54 minutes played as Andy Henderson deftly touched the puck past Little. With the momentum grasped the visitors continued to push and the equalising goal came with just 5 minutes of the game remaining as Tigers talisman Paul Guilcher latched on to Scott Marr's pass and fired a laser-like backhand past the stranded Kirkcaldy keeper. Both teams looked cagy as the clock ticked down and the Kestrels looked like they had wrapped things up as Robin Floyd found himself unmarked in front of the Tigers goal with 45 seconds left and roofed the puck over McGill's shoulder and in to the roof on the net. With the points destined to stay in the langtoon, Grant Reekie spoiled the party as just 20 seconds later he latched on to Marr's pass and fired home high in to the Kestrels net. In a game that demonstrated all that is good abouth the SNL - Local players giving their all and showing resolve and determination beyond the norm - both teams will rue their missed chances and celebrate a hard fought point. Tigers Assistant Manager John Robb said "This was an absolute cracker of a game. Both teams are probably feeling equally happy and disappointed and while we had enough chances to win the game the character we showed to get ourselves back in to the match not once but twice is fantastic. We play the Kestrels at home in our next game and I think both team will be looking forward to the re-match"