Friday January 8th had the girls on the road bright and early for their first game of the tournament against the Norfolk Hericanes. The girls were a bit sleepy as this game started but strong goaltending from Morgan Baker kept the Hericanes off the score sheet. Captain Kinuck Courtney Surridge got the girls started with a great rush through the neutral zone beating the goaltender low glove side. This play started with a nice outlet pass from Kristy Parsons, then a touch pass from Kristen Derksen. Midway through the second, the girls got on the board again on a centering pass from Surridge one timed by Mikhayla Bowes to the back of the net. The girls kept the majority of the play in the opponents' end in the third and came away with a 2-0 win. Morgan Baker was selected as game MVP.
Game 2 had the Kinucks facing the Brantford Ice Cats. The girls came out of the gate strong, scoring early on a beautiful play. Dakota Smith kept the puck in the offensive zone at the point, moved it smartly to mid ice where Parsons let fire a rocket which was tipped under the bar by Bowes. The girls continued with an intense forecheck which resulted in an Ice Cat player covering the puck with a hand in the crease. Cassidy Colhoun was chosen to take the penalty shot and made it count, beating the goalie low glove side. Late in the second the girls gave up a power play goal to make the game tighter. Taking their second penalty of the period, the girls restored their 2 goal lead on the penalty kill with Surridge making a great rush and finish. The third period was a penalty filled affair for the Kinucks culminating in playing the last 3:37 6 on 3. Baker and the penalty killers stood strong and kept the final score 3-1. Game MVP was Mikhayla Bowes.
Friday's two wins gave the girls first place in the A Pool and a bye to the Semi Final. Sunday morning, the girls met the Oilers from Petrolia on Olympic sized ice. This was a bit of an adjustment for the Kinucks but they got on track in the 2nd period. Madison McFadden found Derksen in behind the defense and Derksen faked forehand, potting a nice deke on the backhand. Late in the second, Surridge initiated a two on one with Jordan Murchie. Surridge delayed, drew the D man and slid a great pass over to Murchie who wristed one top cheese. The girls played strong defensively the rest of the way and shut out Petrolia 2-0. Game MVP honours went to Courtney Surridge.
Sunday's final had the Kinucks playing the Ilderton Jets for the Championship. This game had some early scoring chances but strong goaltending kept the score 0-0 through the first period. Early in the second, Derksen sprung a streaking Victoria Krulicki and she made no mistake firing a laser high blocker to draw first blood. Persistent pressure on the forecheck resulted in a late second period penalty for Ilderton. With just 25 seconds left in the period Laura Mangotich moved the puck D to D and Vanessa Hodgins wired a shot that beat the screened Jets goalie for a 2-0 lead. Strong team defense in the third kept Ilderton's chances to a minimum and the girls skated away victorious. Game MVP was Vanessa Hodgins.
Congratulations girls on a great effort, team staff and parents are very proud of your accomplishment!
Article written by Corey Colhoun