Article By Ron Sayle
Having advanced through the WOAA playoffs unscathed without a loss to Mitchell and Listowell the Miller Insurance Midgets took to the ice at home on Friday against the Strathroy Rockets, the same team who had defeated them in the International Silver stick finals three weeks prior.
Kincardine came out in period one playing a physical game resulting in several stoppages for trips to the sin bin as well as allowing for the Rocket trainer time to come out and administer first aid. Scoring chances were few as the checking was close and both teams were line matching. It wasn’t until the half way through the period that Chris Beattie found a rebound sitting on the doorstep after a patent Jacob Sikierski dip and dive dash leaving Rocker defenders in his wake.
Period two heated up as the physically play lead by Brady Collins and Dave McFarlan laid out several crushing hits and both teams kept the penalty box doors swinging throughout the period. Strathroy took advantage of a power play opportunity and tied the game early. Kincardine responded with Garret Satosek banging in a onetimer off a nice feed from Dylan Sayle in the corner and Brad Mangotich who made a save at the blue line and managed to get the puck in deep from the point. Strathroy managed to tie with one second on the clock to end the second sending the teams to the dressing room tied going into the third.
The last second goal had no effect on the home squad as they came out in the third and carried the play with several scoring chances by Jory Norman , Dallas Hewitt, Paul Lamont and Mitch Dickson only to be stymied by exceptional Rocket goaltending . Kincardine held the advantage in play and managed to keep the puck in the Rocket supported by excellent puck moving by the Kincardine defense lead by Dallas Perkins , Matt baker Michael Osadca and Sam Guirbin.It wasn’t until Jacob Sikierski deposited a top shelf bar down ringer off a beautiful feed from Beattie in the corner and Lamont who paid the price behind the net to free up the loose biscuit. From that point on it was the Easton Battler show as the Kincardine goaltender made several spectacular saves to closed the door and preserve the 3-2 game one victory. Game two will be in Strathroy Monday evening and Kincardine is hoping to have Phil Bernath and Cody Bowes return from the Injury list as they are key elements in the Miller Midget offence.