Neepawa Tigers double up Crocus Plains

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Published on Thursday, December 18, 2014

By Eoin Devereux

The Neepawa Banner

The Neepawa Tigers are heading into the holiday break on a winning note after beating the Crocus Plains Plainsmen 4-2, in the Westman High School Hockey League.

The Tigers started the game strong, taking an early lead on a Baren Mitchler goal just four minutes into the opening period. Crocus Plains replied late on a penalty shot, as Skyler Peters notched the equalizer with 50 seconds remaining in the first period.

In the second period, there was a single goal scored, as Brett McKinnon reclaimed the lead for Neepawa. Into the third, the Tiger secured a two goal buffer, as Austin Whelpton   scored at 14:01, with assists from Will Rainka and Ian Montgomery. Dawson Waddell of Crocus Plains scored with 4:15 remaining in the game on a shorthanded effort to make it 3-2. That was as close as the Plainsmen were able to get as Preston James returned the Neepawa lead to two with just over two minutes remaining in the game to make the final score 4-2.

With the win, NACI improved to 7-2-0 on the season and moved into second place in the WHSHL, three points behind the Dauphin Clippers. The next game for the Tigers is Jan.10 in Birtle.