After two games, the West Shore Bantam girls have taken the lead in their playoff series with Walkerton. Game #1 in Walkerton on January 30 resulted in a 1-1 tie. Kincardine dominated the play in the first period with end to end action but neither team could light up the scoreboard. Kincardine pulled ahead in the second with Courtney Surridge's accurate top corner, glove side shot. The Kinucks held on to their slim lead until midway through the final period when the Walkerton squad capitalized on a power play to tie it up, ending the match 1-1.
The Kinucks controlled Game #2 at home on January 31, solidly winning 4-1. As in the previous game, the first period was scoreless. Walkerton got their single goal of the game early in the second period on a scramble around the net, somehow managing to poke the puck over the line. Jordan Murchie countered four minutes later on Cassidy Colhoun's pass in front. Kincardine took the lead soon after as Mikhayla Bowes capitalized on Victoria Krulicki's great one time pass, and got the insurance marker on a good cycle down low between Krulicki and Bowes which led to a pass out front to Surridge who beat the goalie high glove side. West Shore put the game away in the third when Madison McFadden tipped in Erica Gade's point shot. Defence partners Dakota Smith/Kristy Parsons and Laura Mangotich/Erica Gade played extremely well, protecting goalie Morgan Baker from the opposition, competently clearing the puck out of the zone, and setting the stage for the forwards' attacks.
Next game is Thursday February 4th @ 7:45pm in Kincardine.
Submitted by: L. Parsons