Chill cool Tigers’ momentum in Hobart

The Tassie Tigers’ momentum was halted by the Canberra Chill on Friday night, with both sides falling short in closely contested clashes in Hobart. The Men suffered their first defeat of the season in a dramatic 4–3 encounter, while the Women went down 4–2 despite a double from captain Penny Squibb.

Larkin returns to freeze out Tigers’ winning start

The Tassie Tigers’ unbeaten start to the 2026 Hockey One season came to an end on Friday night, with former Tiger Max Larkin inspiring the Canberra Chill to a 4–3 victory.

A last-minute field goal from Ollie Stebbings gave the Tigers a chance to send the match into a shootout, but the Tasmanian-born goalkeeper denied his conversion attempt to seal the result against his former side.

It capped a superb performance from Larkin, who produced a series of spectacular saves to frustrate the Tigers throughout the evening.

Canberra struck twice late in the opening quarter, with Davis Atkin scoring in the 12th minute and Darcy Macdonald adding another a minute later to establish a 2–0 lead.

The Tigers broke through early in the third quarter when captain Hayden Beltz deflected home a penalty corner to cut the deficit to one.

But Canberra responded swiftly, with Dylan Brick scoring in the 34th and 36th minutes to push the visitors’ advantage out to 4–1.

Beltz offered the Tigers a lifeline early in the final quarter, producing another penalty-corner deflection to bring his side back within two goals.

Just as in the teams’ previous meeting in 2024, there was a flurry of late drama. With around 90 seconds remaining, the Tigers thought they had scored through Lachie Rogers, only for the effort to be disallowed.

Undeterred, Stebbings showed composure and quick hands in the circle to finish in the final minute and reduce the margin to 4–3.

With a shootout hinging on the conversion, Larkin recovered to get his stick to Stebbings’ attempt, securing the points for Canberra and ending the Tigers’ winning start.

Squibb double not enough as Chill turn the tide

Two goals from captain Penny Squibb were not enough for the Tassie Tigers Women, with a late third-quarter turnaround helping the Canberra Chill claim a 4–2 victory.

An even opening quarter flowed from end to end, although neither side could manufacture the breakthrough.

Canberra eventually opened the scoring through Maya McGrath in the 22nd minute, before Squibb drilled home a penalty corner in the 29th to send the teams into half-time level at 1–1.

The Tigers skipper repeated the effort six minutes into the third quarter, firing home another penalty corner to give the hosts a 2–1 lead.

With momentum seemingly on the Tigers’ side, Canberra turned the contest in the closing stages of the term. Valentina Costa equalised with a field goal in the 44th minute, before Lynn Krings scored from a penalty corner in the final minute to put the visitors ahead 3–2.

Only another conversion save from Evie Dalton prevented further damage, with the Tigers goalkeeper maintaining her perfect record against conversion attempts this season.

Chasing an equaliser in the final quarter, the Tigers were forced onto the defensive as Canberra pressed. Dalton produced several outstanding saves to keep the hosts within striking distance, but Costa’s second goal in the 51st minute gave the Chill breathing room.

Despite Squibb’s double and Dalton’s efforts in goal, the Tigers were unable to find a late response as Canberra secured a 4–2 win.