The Canadian Tire Atom Kinucks played 4 awesome games over the past week and ended with 2 victories in a home and home play-off series with the AEMHA Ice Dogs. Last Wednesday, the Kinucks played the Ripley Wolves in an exhibition match in Ripley. A hard fought game was played by all and great goaltending was exhibited by both Ryan Wheeler and Trent Courtney in a 1-1 tie. Scoring for the Kinucks was Wilson Shipp from Ethan Petrie and Jordan Beisel
Friday the Kinucks travelled to Keady to Battle the TCDMHA Rebels in WOAA playoff hockey. The Rebels took a 1-0 lead in the first but it was short lived as Shipp scored. He was set-up by Nolan MacKinnon and Ethan Petrie. The rebels took the lead in the third on a bad bounce and the Kinucks were unable to tie the score making the Final 2-1.
Saturday was game 1 of the home and home play-off series with the AEMHA Ice Dogs in Chesley. The Kinucks would storm out of the gate and take advantage of a sluggish Dogs start and found themselves up 3-0 in the first 5 minutes. The first two were scored by Mackenzie Beisel, the first unassisted and the second from Wilson Shipp. After a Dogs time-out, the game tightened up and The Ice Dogs cut the lead to 3-1 in the Second. In the third, Darcy Scott made a defensive and scored putting the lead back to 3. The Kinucks held out and celebrated a 4-1 victory.
The return match back in Kincardine was a different hockey game than the day before. The Ice dogs came out flying and scored midway through the first. The Kinucks would not let-up and less than a minute later tied the game. Jordan Beisel scored with an unassisted goal. The Dogs would strike back early in the second to retake the lead but the Kinucks tied it 2-2 minutes later with an unassited goal from Nolan McKinnon. The Dogs again scored as the 2nd ended with th Dogs up 3-2. A great third period by the Kinucks put the Dogs on their heels. Jordan Beisel scored 4 minutes into the third, unassisted and with 4 minutes remaining, Nolan Mackinnon scored what was to be the game winner. Assists went to Wilson Shipp and Kaleb Smith. “ A Great week of hockey” Head Coach Jeff Scott said, “All the players played a good set of games. Our goaltenders were solid, the defense competed hard for the puck and the forwards engaged the puck in the attacking zone. I am proud of everyone on the bench, including our Assistant Coach Warren Beisel and Trainer Kelly Helm”. The Kinucks will await their fate in the WOAA pool to see if they will move on but will not rest as they practice and prepare for the Chris Knott Tournanment in Saugeen Shores on the weekend.