By Kirk Jessome
After finishing with a disappointing 7-17 record last season, a fantastic recruiting class and development of returning players helped the team improve to 12-12 in the regular season to finish fourth in the AUS conference.
The group was led in almost all facets by fifth-year captain Lisa MacLean. With her nine goals and 15 assists, MacLean finished the season in the top-ten in the country in both assists and total points. Not far behind her was Jesse Rietveld with a team-high 11 goals.
The Tigers were impressive all season long with scoring contributions throughout the roster, including 13 points each from rookies Keana Oshowy and Natalie Stanwood.
Head coach Sean Fraser acknowledges the great dynamic that was displayed between his senior and younger players, coming together quickly in the season to get off to a good start.
“Our team had great chemistry all season, and the leaders help support our younger players on and off the ice,” says Fraser. “This allowed everyone the opportunity to have success and contribute.”
It was a year full of streaks that went both ways for the Tigers this season with single wins or losses only happening four times the entire regular season.
Getting out to a hot start, the Tigers picked up wins in the first two games of the season, and went on to finish the first half with a winning record of 8-6.
A key factor in the first half of the season was strong play from both Fabiana Petricca and Jessica Severeyns between the pipes.
“We had two solid goaltenders this season in Fabs and Jess,” said Fraser commented. “Both goalies gave our team an opportunity to win every game.”
It was a tougher second half for the Tigers, who struggled on the road, and ended the season on a three-game losing streak, but were able to keep home ice advantage heading into the playoffs against UdeM.
Captain Lisa MacLean helped the Tigers to a dominant win in game one of the best of three series with a goal and four assists on the way to a 7-2 victory.
It was a different story in game two, however, with the team’s struggles on the road continuing. They dropped the second game of the series 4-1 in Moncton.
The Tigers ran into a hot goaltender in game three, with their top ranked power play going 0-6 at an important time of year. Unable to find the back of the net till there was under two minutes to go in the game, the Tigers dropped the sudden death game 3-1 to end their season.
It was not the finish that the team wanted, but with a solid core of returning players and some development from their young players, the Tigers look primed to make a deep playoff run next season.