Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Tigers roar back twice to draw
DUNDEE Tigers ice hockey team kept up their unbeaten start in a 3-3 draw against Kirkcaldy Kestrels at Fife Ice Arena.
A scrappy first period ended scoreless.
Both created chances but keepers Andrew Little and Tigers Mark McGill stood strong.
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 illtimed line change just before the midway point of the period allowed the Kestrels the opening they needed. Robin Floyd took advantage of a breakaway to give the hosts the lead.
As the period came to a close, Kestrels doubled their advantage through Allan Anderson.
Late penalties for the home side meant the Tigers ended the period with a two-man advantage.
Tigers captain Paul Guilcher nearly pulled one back but his attempt was saved on the line and time ran out with Kestrels 2-0 ahead.
The final stanza got underway with Kestrels still killing a double penalty.
Despite some brilliant work by Tigers, the score remained the same as the penalties expired.
Tigers continued to press and did get the goal they deserved 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 five minutes remaining.
Tigers talisman Paul Guilcher latched onto Scott Marr’s pass and fired a laserlike backhand past the stranded Kirkcaldy keeper.
Both teams looked cagey as the clock ticked down. Kestrels looked like they had wrapped things up as Floyd found himself unmarked in front of the Tigers goal with 45 seconds left and struck the puck over McGill’s shoulder and into the roof of the net.
With the points destined to stay in the Lang Toon, Grant Reekie spoiled the party as, just 20 seconds later, he latched on to Marr’s pass and fired home.
In a game that showed all that is good about the Scottish National League, local players giving their all and showing resolve and determination beyond the norm, both teams will rue the chances that they missed.