Kincardine Presto Crest Peewee LL hosted Tiverton at home on Thursday night, 10Mar2011, for their final playoff game. The previous game against Tiverton on Tuesday night resulted in a 0-3 loss. Although Kincardine didn’t play badly in that game, there was lots of room for improvement.
Photo courtesy of Kyle Watson.
Kincardine delivered the complete package at this final home game - excellent effort level throughout the game, good puck pursuit, good puck support in the offensive zone, team play, good defensive positioning and excellent goaltending. The result was a 3-0 win on a solid team effort. Kincardine’s first goal half way through the first period was scored by Brydon from the slot on an excellent feed from Owen in the corner. Corbyn also picked up an assist by holding the blueline and getting the puck to Owen in the corner. Kincardine took the 1-0 lead into the second period.
Kincardine’s second goal was again scored almost mid-way through the second period. This time Cameron tried to clear the puck over Kincardine’s blueline. The puck bounced off the Tiverton defenseman to Brady who’s pass to Josh sprung him on a breakaway. Josh fired the puck through the five-hole for the goal. Kincardine took the 2-0 lead into the third period.
The pattern of the first two periods was again repeated when almost mid-way through the third period, Owen dug the puck out of the Tiverton corner and fed a pass into the slot. Cameron one-timed it into the net for Kincardine’s third and final goal. Alex P. then closed the door on Tiverton for the shut-out.
This victory was a team effort with many notable individual efforts. Hogan executed an awesome, text-book hip-check resulting in a cartwheel by the Tiverton forward. Martin was very aware of Tiverton players in front of the Kincardine net, ensuring that they were always covered. Matt defended the front of the Kincardine goal, protecting his goalie. Alex F. carried the puck out of the defensive zone on numerous occasions and his shots at net from well out could be heard around the rink. Brendan’s physical play and head’s up passing kept the puck out of Kincardine’s end. Ryan’s solid defensive positioning and willingness to take a hit in order to clear the puck out of the zone eliminated Tiverton scoring chances. At centre, both Michael and JD hustled back into the defensive zone to help out the defense and won some important defensive draws. Jacob and Austin both improved their defensive coverage, making sure that their respective point-men were covered, especially during defensive face-offs. They both worked hard at staying on their side of the ice and aggressively pursuing the puck.
The game closed out the season in a fitting way, demonstrating the many individual and team improvements that occurred throughout the season. The most crucial element is hard work by everyone on the team on every shift as witnessed by the 4 team victories and one tie this season.