The Tigers opened the season against North Royalton in the Jr. Jacks' Thanksgiving Tournament, hosted at Cleveland Heights. The Tigers started well, but the home-ice advantage seemed to wear off after one period. Goals by Dan Bray and Paris Murray made it 2-0 in the first, but the lead wouldn't last. With Heights on a two-man advantage, North Royalton forced a turnover and scored on a breakaway. The Bears tied the score late in the second as the Tigers never regained their first-period form. But Heights scratched out one more goal in the third period and held on to win. Sam Lauritzen scored off a pass from Patrick Miller to tip the scales toward the Tigers. Daley Baker didn't get to relax in net, as he stopped 27 of 29 shots.