written by Jason Stevenson:
The Home Hardware Novice Rep Kinucks travelled this past weekend to the West Lorne Black and Gold tournament. The competition was stiff with teams from all over South-Western Ontario in attendance. Our young players were fearless and each time they stepped on the ice they showed grit and mental toughness in the face of their competitors.
On the first day of the tournament the Kinucks played to a loss and a win.
In the first game Kincardine faced a strong Port Dover team and fell two back on two quick “fluke” goals. This put the Kinucks in a whole they couldn't’t get out of despite a tremendous defensive effort by the lines of Stevenson/Hewitt and Anderson/MacGregor. Port Dover held the Kinucks to just one goal.
In the second game Brennan Long was a force of nature leading the Kinucks to a win past a very strong North London team, and Everett Luinstra was a brick wall between the posts. Kendon Zettle and Liam Colhoun fought hard all game, fighting for loose pucks and weaving past the North London defence. Travis Anderson kept the puck in the offensive zone and showed near Bobby Orr like prowess in penetrating the North London defence. It was an exciting game with each team trading goals, but ultimately the kids pulled it off putting them into the consolation final.
In the consolation final against a very strong Mount Brydges team the Kinucks on weary legs skated and played hard. Kendon Zettle was all over the ice fighting strong for the puck and penetrating the Mount Bryges defence. In the end some slick passing by Mount Bryges on a few key power plays saw the Kinucks fall.
The weekend was a success, the coaching staff and parents were extremely proud of the grit, toughness and conduct of all the players both on and off the ice.
The Flu hit the team during the tournament with the Kinucks losing one of its key components Kaleb Smith. With Kaleb being out of the line up, team mates Cale Gibson, Zach Wall, Abbey McCormick and Ryan Renaud picked up the slack in support of their fallen line mate. They wish him a speedy recovery. The team is getting set for a busy schedule ahead of them, come out and support your local young athletes.