Article by Ron Sayle
With the 2010 Regional Silver stick banner hanging proudly in the Davidson rafters it was onto the next challenge the International tournament in Sarnia.
Game one had the Miller midgets matched up against a polished team from Pembroke who looked impressive as they stepped off the team bus. The shine and glitter was soon tarnished as the Kincardine boys started the game up tempo and physical. Jacob Sikierski opened the scoring with his patent slice and dice moves up the middle finishing off with a deposit top shelf on a mesmerized goaltender, assists going to Mat Baker and Dallas Hewitt. Pembroke quickly responded with a tip in at the side of the net to even the score going into the second. Pembroke went ahead early in the second frame with a floater from the blue line that had eyes for the back of the net leaving Easton Battler with no chance as the screne in front was dense with bodies. Dylan Sayle evened the score with a solid snapper glove side with helpers going to Mitch Dickson and Phil Bernath who worked hard in the corners to get Sayle the puck in the slot. Both teams played hardnosed hockey and the checking was tight until Paul Lamont broke through an obvious holding call to score the winner while on his knees from in front of the net, Jory Norman and Dallas Perkins paid the price in the corners to get the assists.
Game two had the Mt Bridges hawks try to out muscle the Miller midgets only to find the home squad up to the task and willing participants. Kincardine took advantage of the Hawks penalties to gain a 3-0 advantage going into the third frame. Kincardine markers going to Brad Mangotish, Garrit Satosek and Bernath with helpers going to Sam Gurbin, Chris Beattie, Sayle and Michael Osadca. The tied turned quickly in the third as a head shot penalty took out Bernath and the ensuing retaliation on the part of his teammates caused the Kincardine boys to lose composure and discipline resulting in a three goal response by the Mt Bridges squad. With Time winding down and both teams looking for a hero it was Mitch Dickson who answered the call by launching one of his lazers from the side wall with assists going to line mates Sayle and Bernath.
Entering game three undefeated coach Stepaniak , Howard, and Catto had the home team packing some mojo going into game three against another undefeated team the, Strathroy Rockets. The swagger was short lived as the pace was at a much higher level than the previous two matches. Scoring chances were few and slim until Mathew Baker uncorked a bullet from the point that brezzed past an open Strathroy goalie’s glove giving the boys the lead with less than 3 mins on the clock. The lead was short lived as Strathroy pulled the keeper for the extra attacked and were able to crash the net and get a dribbler past Easton Battler who had played flawless only to be beaten by a wobbler that had barely made it over the line. The final score remained tied with both teams waiting game results to discover who would be the opponents going into the Final match Sunday.
With identical unbeaten records the stage was set for a rematch of game three with Strathroy and Kincardine poised for battle to decide who would take home the Silver Stick waiting in the lobby. Having endured three hard periods the previous day there were to be no surprises as both teams knew it would take a solid effort to come away with the win. Strathroy took a early two goal lead and appeared to go into cruise control until Sayle unloaded the cannon from the slot off a picture pass delivered from Dickson who got the feed from Satosek in the corner. Kincardine pulled out all the stops as Bernath suited up and played despite a head injury suffered in the previous Mt Bridges game. Unfortunately victory was not to be had on this day as Strathroy added to the lead deep in the third as the fuel gauge on the Kincardine bench was slowly depleting as the game progressed. Extraordinary efforts from the Hewitt, Collins , Lamont line produced chances only to be denied by a solid Strathroy goal tender giving the Rockets the 3-1 victory. The loss was a hard pill to swallow, however the Kincardine Miller Midgets can keep their heads high as they competed hard all weekend and represented the Town of Kincardine with poise and polish throughout. Congratulations go out to Brad Mangotish and Dylan Sayle who were selected to the tournament all star team as top defenseman and left winger. Special recognition to Spencer Montgomery who kept the mood light and encouraged the boys throughout the weekend and was ready a moment’s notice to mind the cage should he be called upon.