Tigers Earn Showcase Win

The Tigers set aside Monday’s 3-0 loss to Amherst and bounced back to double Valley in their Tuesday afternoon clash. Like all MHL showcase games it consisted of two twenty-five minute periods and Campbellton found themselves down by a goal at the halfway mark. That deficit didn’t last for long in the second frame thanks to great passes by Sam Dow and Dylan Coffey and then a slick break-away move by Coleton Perry just twenty seconds after the faceoff.  Three minutes later the Tigers took the lead on a classic rush and picture-perfect goal by Joel Walker. With the Tigers on the powerplay, Jared Janke battled for and won the puck behind Campbellton’s net. He moved it out to Drew Toner who then passed to Walker who was speeding out of the Tigers’ zone. He hustled by a defender near center and then moved to his right and entered Valley’s end. Just as he was challenged by a Wildcat, Walker slid the puck softly ahead and then slipped quickly around the player. He reclaimed the puck on the edge of the circle and zipped in at the net where he sharply lifted it over the goalie’s left shoulder and into the top of the cage. Campbellton’s lead was widened about a dozen minutes later again by Walker. With the Tigers’ aggressive offence causing Valley to scramble in their own zone,  Janke passed from the right half-board to Toner down low. Toner moved behind the net, passed out to Walker who banged the puck quickly past the goalie. The two goal lead was halved late in the game by the Wildcats after they had pulled their goalie, making for an exciting finish. However, Zach Spencer defused the situation and sealed the victory by redirecting a shot by Mitch Britton into the empty net.

Walker was named the game’s first star while Francis Thibeault got the nod for third star. Tristan Gray who made eighteen saves, picked up the win.