OAMPS Blades Lose In Extra Time

The MIA Tassie Tigers have confirmed a semi final berth in brilliant fashion after ending the OAMPS Queensland Blades undefeated run at the AHL tournament.

Going into the match needing a win to secure their spot in the top four, the Tigers put in a determined performance and despite being a goal down at half time, managed to control the second half and push the game into extra time.

Both teams had so much to play for, and therefore raised the intensity.

The Blades, who were yet to drop a game at the tournament, were no doubt looking to maintain some much needed momentum going into their AHL finals campaign.

While for the Tigers, a win was needed to secure their place in the semi finals.

Eventually the Tigers would be the ones to pull of the upset, handing the Blades their first tournament loss and guaranteeing a spot in the semi finals via a David Guest penalty corner conversion in extra time.

The match started at a frenzied pace, with the Blades scoring the first two goals of the game within the first ten minutes to establish a dominant lead. 

However the Tigers soon regained their composure, with Geoff Cock scoring the first of his three goals after beating Blades goal keeper Stephen Lambert.

The Blades hit back four minutes later through Tim Bates who was at the end of some brilliant work from Nathan Eglington who ran through the Tigers defence and drew out the keeper to pass to Bates who goaled easily past Nathan Fitzpatrick.

The Tigers weren’t done with yet however, scoring in the 35th minute thanks to another Geoff Cock goal to keep the Tigers within reach going into the half time break.

Cock scored his third goal early in the second quarter to level the score however the Blades once again regained the lead after Tim Bates scored a clever goal at the 52nd minute.

With their tournament lives on the line the Tigers once again refused to be beaten, with forward Marcus Richardson scoring at the 59th minute to level the score and force the game into extra time.

Eventually the Tigers momentum paid dividends, scoring in the 79th minute from a penalty corner conversion to secure the win and fourth position on the AHL ladder.

While obviously disappointed with the loss, the Blades will be given the chance for revenge during their semi final on Friday 7th March where they will once again play the Tigers.