Ryan VanGenderen who scored three goals for the Vermilion Jr. B. Tigers; one in each period. Also scoring for Vermilion was Brayden Wilson; making the final score 4 – 3 for Vermilion over St. Paul. Photo Angela Mouly
The Tigers opened their 2017 - 2018 hockey season on the road with a pair of road games in Vegreville on September 29, and Cold Lake on September 30. The Tigers were looking to get a good start to the season in the hopes for a return to the postseason.
Friday’s tilt against the Rangers was penalty packed as both teams amassed a total of 232 penalty minutes which was highlighted by a feature bout. Levi Myshak who started between the pipes for Vermilion faced an onslaught of 53 shots. The jungle cats managed to drill 56 shots the Rangers way, unfortunately the bounces went to Vegreville on way to 7 - 4 loss.
Scoring for the Tigers were returnees Ryan VanGenderen who netted 2 and Evan Bardoel who potted 1. Braeden Nelson snapped up the other yellow and black goal.
Saturday brought a renewed optimism for the boys as they loaded the bus and made the trek to Cold Lake. This was a fired up group from the night before and they made their point from the drop of the puck.
Net minder Dakota Kenyon kept the Ice at bay all night registering his first win and shutout of the early campaign. Turning away all 40 shots directed his way. The Tigers got scoring support again from Evan Bardoel for the second consecutive game. Foster Steinhubel buried one and Austin Trach who opened the scoring in the first frame ended up with the game winner.
The Tigers returned to action this weekend and on October 6, they were in Onion Lake for a date with the Border Chiefs and opened their regular season at home on October 7, as they welcomed the St. Paul Canadiens.