Miller Midgets Fall Short
Game one of the Regional Silver Stick tournament had the Miller Midgets facing off against Mitchell and if history was any indication of how the match would be played the penalty box door would get ample use. Down several key players to injury and facing a full Mitchell bench the lads quickly realized they were in for a hard battle. The first period was a close checking affair with both teams testing the official’s tolerance level which appeared to be set well above the league standards. Kincardine opened the scoring in the second when Mitch Dickson capitalized on a two one and found the corner off a nice saucer pass from Dylan Sayle, Josh MacDonald got the other helper with a solid clearing pass. From then on it was the Jacob Siekierski show as he potted the next three for the natural hat trick. His speed and patented chop chop style of stick handling had the Mitchell players reaching, dazed, and missing any time the speedster had the puck. Helpers went to Dallas Perkins, Karsen Ellis, Chris Beattie, Josh Gauthier, Sam Gurbin, and Cody Bowes, all of whom worked hard and made precise passes to get #16 the puck. Mitchell replied with two in the third with two to close the ga, but they were no match for the Kincardine team as Karsen Ellis and Mitch Dickson added singles with assists going to Jory Norman and Brad Mangotich, Final score 6-2 in favor of the Kincardine with Keegan Woodman making several big saves to keep Michel at bay.
8:00 am for game two came early and Goderich capitalized on a still sleeping Kincardine team to take an early lead. A not so friendly chat from Coach Stepaniak and timely saves from Easton Battler got the boys rejuvenated and they replied with goals by Karsen Ellis and Gerrit Satosek with well earned assists going to Sam Gurbin, Mathew Osadca and Alex Legrand who all took punishing hits deep in the Goderich end to get the helpers. Final score 2-1 In favor of Kincardine
Game three in the afternoon had the Tavistock “Turf Flippers” team waiting for a depleted Kincardine team as injuries in the Goderich game had them down to 12 skaters. Tavistock scored early and the Miller Midgets never could get on track. Several good scoring chances by Kincaradine were denied by steady goaltending. Penalty trouble haunted the boys and forced Kegan Woodman to make spectacular saves to keep it close, final score Tavistock 3, Kincardine 1, thus ending the drive to the International in Sarnia. (Nov 30, 2009)
Ron Sayle
