The Canadian Tire Atom Reps traveled to the shores of Lake
Erie for the Port Dover Classic Hockey Tournament.
The Kinucks opened the tournament against Waterford on Friday night. In a back and forth struggle Bryce McFadden sped up the left side and dropped a pass for Jake Colley where he stuffed it top corner on the short side. Waterford came to play, however, and responded with two goals to take the 2-1 lead. With the momentum going all Waterford’s way, Ryan Thede took a pass from Colley, dangled through the defense and pretzeled the Waterford goaltender going forehand, backhand, forehand to tie the game at 2-2. Defensive player of game was Austin MacArthur with strong play in-front of his own net.
Ridgetown was up next for the Kinucks and the “Riddler,” Matt Harrison, opened the scoring with a scramble in front of the net. “Crazy Legs Colley” scored next with a clapper of the inside post. After a quiet second period, “Cheezy” Brennan Long scored with a clapper of his own and Kendon Zettle sealed the game for a 4-0 Kinucks win. Assist went to Thede, Chris Coady, Kara Colhoun, Brody Hewitt, and Jacob Bishop. Jamie Brock played well in net to earn the shut-out, while Emma Swift earned the “Lumber Jack” award…………………again!
Between games, Travis Anderson proudly represented the Atoms in the skills competition. Anderson showed off his speed going through the obstacle course.
Silverstick rivals, Ayr, were up next for the Kinucks. This was a must win game, but the Kinucks came out flat and gave up the first two goals. Bishop scored from outside the blue-line with a seeing-eye dump in. With the game 2-1 for Ayr, McFadden went to work and wheeled from his own end. As he has done all season, McFadden broke through the D and scored with a wrist shot on the far post. The assist went to Colhoun. With the game tied 2-2, Ayr pulled their goalie in the second period with a man advantage. After a scramble in front of the net, Ayr scored to take the lead 3-2.
Championship games are decided on a complicated point system where points are earned for winning periods as well as the game. from round-robin play. It’s easier to figure out your taxes than this point system! This point system created a scene never seen by anyone at the rink.
The Kinucks were down 3-2 with three minutes left when they went on the power-play. Coach MacDonald pulled Brock, risking the consolation game for a chance at the final. Coach MacDonald has emphasized winning all year. With one minute left and Brock still pulled for a 6th skater, the Ayr coach pulled his goalie! Ayr needed to win the third period to go on to the finals. And so, with literally thousands of games of hockey experience, the fans saw something new……no goalies! The game finished with a 3-2 loss for the Kinucks. Although they failed to make the finals, the team earned a Consolation Final against home team Port Dover.
McFadden was keen on filling the trophy case and scored just 16 seconds in the game. The Kinucks continued the pressure and Bishop followed McFadden’s rush with one of his own scoring low glove side. The “Twin Towers” started the second period with a goal as Kuz set up Coady for a blast from the hash marks. Dover made a game of it by breaking the Brock bubble to make it 3-1. Dan McFadden promised his son a trophy case, however, and the young McFadden was determined to fill it by scoring the fourth goal of the game. Thede finished the scoring with an empty netter and the celebration was on!
Congratulations goes to the Canadian tire Atom Reps for winning the Port Dover Classic Consolation Championship.