Miller Midgets Dull the lancers
After sweeping the defending WOAA champs, Listowell Cyclones 3 straight it was a nervous week and a half waiting for the lambeth Lancers to advance to the OMHA semi final series.
Game one had Kincardine appearing to have the game in hand going into the final frame with a convincing 4-1 lead. The intermission rejuvenated the lambeth team as they came out hard and scored quickly and often to have the game knotted at 5 aside at the end of regulation forcing overtime. With few chances surrendered by either side in the overtime the score remained tied thanks to several game savers by Keegan Woodmen the Kincardine net minder. Goal scorers for Kincardine Jacob Siekierski with 2 , Phil Bernath , Dylan Sayle, and Alex Legrand with 1 each.
With the rust off the blades and the boys finding their legs the Lambeth arena for game 2 was all action for three solid periods. Physical play was the theme as Josh Macdonald, Carson Ellis and Phil Bernath laid out crushing hits as Jory Norman and Gerrit Satosek played a strong shut down role while killing off the multitude of penalties that resulted in the physical play. Kincardine persevered coming away with the 5 – 2 victory. Finding the back of the net were, Karsen Ellis, Jacob Siekierski, Phil Bernath, Alex legrand and Jory Norman.
Game three was a continuation of game two as both teams continued the physical play and every touch of the puck resulted in a solid blow from the opposing side. Both teams traded goals and punches behind the play, throughout the game leaving the score tied at the end of regulation. Disappointment struck 6 mins into the overtime as Lambeth found an open shooter at the corner of the net during a power play opportunity winning the hard fought battle 4-3 and tying the series at 3 points each. Goal scorers for kincardine were Mathew Osadca with one and Phil Bernath with two beauties.
Game 4 had Kincardine playing solid defense with Keegan Woodman robbing the Lancers snipers time after time and forwards picking up their checks causing the frustrated Lambeth squad to take several undisciplined penalties. Kincardine capitalized on the chances coming home with the 3-2 victory and a 2 point lead in the series. Kincardine scorers, Jacob Siekierski, Dallas Perkins and Mathew Osadca.
Game 5 in Kincardine had a buzz in the air as the home town squad had a strangle hold on the series and the deciding game in their barn, a win would produce a ticket to the OMHA finals. Victory was not to be as both goaltenders shut the door and scoring chances were few as both clubs played low risk offence throughout, the lone Kincardine marker went to Alex legrand. Lambeth loaded their bus for the journey home with a 2-1 win and an pail full of confidence, forcing the deciding game 6 in Lambeth.
Kincardine quelled the vocal hometown crowd when Jory Norman opened the scoring in the second buy crashing the net and slamming home a fat rebound off the shot of Phil Bernath. This energized the orange and black and Bernath picked up the second goal with a long assist coming from the clearing attempt from the goaltender Keegan Woodmen. Not to be denied the lancers fought back with a power play goal to end the second frame leaving them down by only one. The third belonged to the kincardine defense as Josh MacDonald , Mathew Osadca , Dallas Perkins, Brad Mangotich and Mat Baker shut the door on the lancer forwards and cleverly made clearing passes that relieved the pressure in the kincardine end. The Boys remained focused and determined and held on for the win to calm the crowed and secure their entry into the OMHA Finals. (March 23, 2010)
Ron Sayle
