Kincardine Kinucks 5 - Mildmay Monarchs 6
The Kincardine Kinucks might feel a little bit aggrieved to end up losing this closely contested game.
The two teams proved to be well matched throughout, with the Mildmay Monarchs providing some stiff opposition. Both goalies would also come up with big saves, keeping their respective teams in the game.
After some early Kincardine pressure, it was the Monarchs that would actually take the lead through Noah Wettlaufer.
The Kinucks fought straight back into the game with two nicely taken goals coming from Noah Swann with assists being attributed to Quinton Page and Sam MacTavish.
The first period would ebb and flow, as the Monarchs would, again,
bounce back with two goals coming from the smooth skating Nigel Kreager. Going
into the interval the game was tied 3-3 with Noah Swann collecting his
hat-trick, assisted by Noah Page. It should be said that although Noah Swann
continues to get the plaudits for his goal scoring heroics, his performances
are much more than that. Swann continues to set the tone with both his work
ethic and simple desire to get on the puck. It is this work ethic that a lot of
the Kinucks team must continue to aspire to.
One of the Kinucks players who continues to demonstrate the
team work ethic, is Cody McClelland. He would be required to perform a
defensive role in this game against the Monarchs, a position that he would
perform admirably with a superb demonstration of skill and speed.
The game continued to be well contested, with both goalies
being kept busy. One save worthy of a mention came from Kinucks goalie Ryan
Tanner who, with cat-like reflexes, made a glove hand save to deny Wettlaufer.
Entering the final two minutes, the game was finely balanced
at 5-5. Noah Swann had amassed an impressive five goals by this point, with
further assists going to the hard skating Jesse Page and the player known to
his teammates as the ‘Brock Star’, Brock Courtney.
It was at this point, in a 5-5 Novice game, that Noah Swann
would be called on a 2-minute tripping penalty. With two minutes left on the
clock it was a tough call for the Kinucks. If the call was to be described as
harsh, it would probably be a significant understatement. On the powerplay the
Monarchs would collect what would prove to be the game winning goal, through Wettlaufer.
Post-game, Trainer Doug MacTavish gave the Mildmay Monarchs
great credit for providing such good competition. However, he couldn’t hide his
disappointment as he talked about a game that he felt the Kinucks possibly could have
and should have won. Talking about the efforts of Quinton Page he said: ‘Quinton’s
performances and effort are really worthy of some goals. Despite playing so
well today, the puck just wouldn’t fall for him. However, when he does get his
next one, I predict a lot will follow”.
The Kincardine hardest working player was awarded to
defenseman, Holden Stevenson. Other players received worthy mentions, but this
was a well-deserved award for the fantastic defensive display that Stevenson
had provided.