The Tigers' 2001-2002 season opened with the Bowling Green Thanksgiving Tournament and a match against the Findlay Trojans. For the second year in a row, Findlay upended Heights with a tie-breaking goal in the final seconds. In the same tournament last November, Heights and Findlay were tied at two when the Trojans managed the game-winning goal with just 13 ticks left to play. This time around, a turnover in the Tigers' defensive zone allowed Findlay to score the winner 17 seconds before the end of regulation. Heights had twice battled back to tie the score after a two-goal first period put Findlay ahead. Carl Rose put the Tigers on the board with a powerplay goal in the second period, scoring on a blistering slapshot from center ice. Nate Hall evened the score with a one-timer off a pass from Jeff Houser. Findlay recaptured the lead at 3-2 but Carl Rose brought Heights back with his second goal of the game, setting up the last-minute finish. Ben Gaglioti totaled 33 saves in net for Heights. Penalties (deserved or otherwise) were the real undoing of the Tigers in this contest. Findlay could only manage one even-strength goal with their other three tallies coming on the powerplay.