CRITCHLOW LEADS THE FALCONS TO VICTORY OVER TIGERS

Premier League - Round 16 - Game 2

Falcons 7 Tigers 4

Four goals in the final period lifted the Adelaide Falcons to a 7 - 4 win over the Adelaide Tigers in Round 16 Premier League action recently at the Ice Arena.

Star import Cameron Critchlow racked up six points with two goals and four assists to lead the Falcons charge. Czech sharp shooter Ales Kratoska notched a hat trick, with Cole MacMillan, adding a goal and three assists, and Dylan Pope, a single marker, to complete the scoring.

Ryan Foll, and James Keane both shot two goals each to account for the Tigers offense. Captain Glen Foll registered three assists.

The opening period was close, but a goal by Kratoska in the last two minutes gave Big Blue a one goal lead heading into the first break.

Both teams played a tightly contested second period with the Falcons holding a slight edge in shots and outscoring the Gold n’ Black 2 - 1, giving them a two goal lead heading into the final 20 minutes of play.

There were plenty of offensive fireworks in a seven goal third period with Critchlow (pictured) notching both of his two goals as the Falcons outscored the Tigers by a goal to secure the win.

A former standout in the Quebec Major Junior League, and then a three time Canadian University champion with the University of New Brunswick, where he served as Team Captain, Critchlow has been a star member of the Adelaide Adrenaline in the Australian Ice Hockey League this year and also locally with the Falcons in the IHSA Premier division. In only nine games with the Falcons, the 25 year old native of Fredericton New Brunswick has scored 15 goals and added 21 assists for 36 points, for a smoking hot average of 4.00 PPG, putting him only two points back of fellow Canadian Cole MacMillan (22 - 16 - 38) on the Falcons points leader board.

"The level of hockey is what I expected before coming down to Australia, I did my research and spoke to people who had experience playing here before and it hasn't disappointed." Critchlow said recently. " I've really enjoyed my time here so far, I love the city and the people in Adelaide."

The Falcons outshot the Tigers 31 - 23, with Ian Hunter stopping 19 shots to record the win for the Falcons. Rusty Brewer had a busy night in the Tigers end, stopping 24 of 31 shots in his direction.

The win improves the Falcons record to 7 - 7 - 1 - 0 for 23 points and second place on the ladder, while the Tigers drop to 6 - 9 for 18 points and third place in the four team division. The Redwings (12 - 2 - 0 - 1) have clinched the Premier League Minor Premiership, while the Blackhawks (4 -12 - 0 - 0) sit in fourth place facing elimination from this seasons finals series.

Both the Tigers and Falcons have played one less game than the Wings and Hawks with the cancellation of an earlier game back in May.

[PHOTO - Ian Thurston]

GAME SUMMARY

1st PERIOD

SCORING - Falcons - 1:13 - Ales Kratoska (C. Critchlow, I. Hunter)

PENALTIES - No Penalties

2nd PERIOD

SCORING - Falcons - 14:42 - Cole MacMillan (C. Critchlow, M. Wegener): Tigers - 6:41 - Ryan Foll (G. Krmac, G. Foll): Falcons - 3:17 - Ales Kratoska (C. Critchlow)

PENALTIES - Falcons - 1:38 - Andrew Zolotarev (Cross Checking): Falcons - 0:46 - Cameron Critchlow (Delay of Game)

3rd PERIOD

SCORING - Falcons -11:44 - Ales Kratoska (C. MacMillan): Falcons - 7:29 - Dylan Pope (C. MacMillan, C. Critchlow): Tigers - 6:19 - James Keane (A. Stapleton, G. Foll): Falcons - 6:09 - Cameron Critchlow (unassisted): Falcons - 5:56 - Cameron Critchlow (C. MacMillan, A. Zolotarev): Tigers - 4:36 - Ryan Foll (J. Keane, L. Jenning): Tigers - 3:39 - James Keane (G. Foll)

PENALTIES - Falcons - 7:11 - Andrew Zolotarev (Interference)

SHOTS ON GOAL 1st 2nd 3rd Total

Tigers 6 8 9 23

Falcons 10 10 11 31

GOALKEEPERS - Tigers - Russell Brewer: Falcons - Ian Hunter

GAME OFFICIALS - Referee - Mike Gainer: Linesmen - P. Cunningham & Mark Sunczyk

Scorer - Claire Wise: Time Keeper - Nicola Reese