GAME RECAP: Huggan scores OT winner in exciting victory over Tigres
The Acadie-Bathurst Titan defeated the Victoriaville Tigres in a thrilling overtime upset Sunday afternoon in front of a roaring home crowd. Bathurst won 3-2 at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre and secured the team’s fourth straight win.
The Tigres, who entered the game on the heels of a lengthy shootout Saturday night against the Saint John Sea Dogs, found the back of the net first Sunday afternoon in Bathurst. Less than two minutes into the first, Olivier Houde scored his third of the season to put the road team up 1-0 quickly. Looking to equalize, the Titan had two powerplays in the opening period and despite numerous chances, couldn’t beat Gabriel D’Aigle. Even though they had a 12-7 shot advantage, the Titan would enter the dressing room down by a goal.
The second period consisted of a back-and-forth game. Bathurst received another powerplay, but again, were unable to convert. Josh Fleming continued his hot start to the season, making a couple of highlight reel saves. He would rob Tigres forward, Éliot Simard on a cross-crease attempt to keep his team in the game. Late in the second Olivier Laverdière scored Victoriaville’s second goal of the night to close 40 minutes with a 2-0 lead.
In the final frame Louis-François Bélanger got the crowd on its feet by tucking a backhander past D’Aigle to cut the deficit in half. With just 17 seconds to play, an Alexandre Lallier shot would bounce off Colby Huggan to tie the game at one. All the fans at the K.C. Irving Centre erupted as the captain deflected in his fifth of the year, and force overtime.
In the extra frame, Victoriaville had some great chances early on but couldn’t solve Fleming. With just over two minutes to go, Huggan jumped on a puck in front of the net and banged it home to secure the 3-2 victory for the Titan.
Huggan was named the third Star of the Game for his pair of goals, and after bringing the Titan within one, Bélanger would secure the second star. D’Aigle was named the first star after making an astounding 43 saves.
The next home game is Thursday, Oct. 17 when the Titan host the Chicoutimi Sagueneens for the first time this season.
Puck drop is 7 p.m. at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre.
Tickets can be purchased at the Titan Box Office, ticketboutik.ca or over the phone.
Don’t forget the Two Grand in Hand Contest! When 2,000 or more fans attend any 2024-25 Acadie-Bathurst Titan regular season home game, one lucky fan will win $2,000!
Do you have the golden ticket?
GO TITAN GO!
