By Rylie Dobson

(Halifax, N.S) - This week’s Flashback Friday features the 2003-04 men's hockey team!e.

The season was off to a rough start for the 2003-04 men’s hockey team. The first half began with the loss of rookie sensation Carl Mallette to the professional league, as well as one of their top defencemen, Gary Zinck. The second half was riddled with injuries, taking out a whole line of forwards as well as goaltender Patty Berrigan. It would be an upward battle for the Tigers in a well-established league.

They found their stride in the second half, finishing regular season play with a record of 11 wins, nine losses, two ties and six OT losses. The record earned them a fourth-place finish and a playoff spot. In the first round, the Tigers faced off against UPEI in the quarter-finals, ultimately winning the series 2-1. In the semi-finals, the Tigers left it all on the ice to battle the nationally ranked UNB Varsity Reds. After winning game one in overtime, they moved onto game two, which went into double overtime. Chris Tellum, just recently back on the ice after recovering from a concussion, scored two goals, including the overtime winner. “These guys have been supporting me all season,” Tellum said in a post-game interview. “It was nice to finally be able to do something for them.”

In the final series, the Tigers fell to StFX after a hard-fought battle for the conference title. The Tigers ended their season with a second place AUS finish.

The Tigers were led by standout player Chris Stanley. Not only was Stanley the league’s top scorer, he also earned AUS MVP honours for the second straight year and was the CIS MVP. Additionally, he won the AUS Community Service Award, and boasted Academic All-Canadian status.