by Cody Baugh

While the Tigers may have failed to qualify for the AUS playoffs, the future is bright for the young Tigers squad. Dalhousie posted a 9-15-4 record, finishing the year just three points out of a playoff spot. Five of the Tigers wins came in the last 10 games of the season, highlighting their progression.

Dalhousie opened up the regular season with three losses before taking down the CIS No. 7 ranked Acadia Axemen on October 21. It was a statement win for the Tigers as they showed the AUS that they should not be taken lightly.

The Tigers went on to secure three more wins before the Christmas break, holding a 4-9-2 record heading into the Holidays.

Following three-straight losses to kick off the month of January, the Tigers beat the UPEI Panthers 4-1 in their first win of 2016. After struggling to find the back of the net for the majority of the season, the Tigers sticks started to come alive.

Andrew Wigginton and Tanner Williams both had lengthy point streaks, which contributed to the Tigers ability to go .500 in their last 10 games.

After winning three out of four games near the end of January, the Tigers suddenly found themselves in a playoff race with Moncton and UPEI.

With the UdeM Aigles Bleus in town on February 6, the Tigers needed to secure a win in order to keep their playoff hopes alive. Moncton came out on top winning the game 2-0 and ultimately eliminating the Tigers from the AUS post-season.

While the team may have not made the playoffs, the Tigers season was filled with two great individual efforts. Second-year goalie, Corbin Boes proved to be one of the best in the CIS after being named to the CIS all-star team that competed against the Canadian World Junior prospects in December. Boes led the AUS with a .918 save percentage and was between the pipes for eight of the Tigers nine wins. He made 100 more saves than any other goalie in the conference (third in the CIS) and was named an AUS first team all-star for his efforts.

Offensively it was former Halifax Mooseheads forward, Phil Gadoury leading the charge. Gadoury claimed the AUS scoring title in his first year in the AUS with 17 goals in 25 games earning him AUS rookie of the year honours in addition to being named to both the AUS and CIS all-rookie teams. Gadoury also gained national attention when his highlight reel goal went viral and was featured on the TSN Facebook page.

As a unit, the Tigers struggled to find the back of the net, scoring just 69 goals this season.

“We believed that we were creating more offensive opportunities for ourselves, particularly in the second half, but scoring consistently was a challenge for us,” says head coach Chris Donnelly. “With the players’ continued efforts and development, we will see an improvement in our ability to be more offensive next season.”