Feb 08, 2014 | Mike Reaume | 962 views
Atom Kinucks Come Up Short in OMHA Playdowns
The Canadian Tire Atom Kinucks faced off against their
season-long rivals the Listowel Cyclones in their second round OMHA play-off
series and were eliminated by a score of three games to one.
After besting the Walkerton Capitals in four games the local lads knew they’d be in tough against the Cyclones and that they were, done in by a lack of goal scoring. Game one in Listowel was a tight affair with goalie Ryan Tanner holding the Kinucks in it. The Kincardine squad had three power plays to Listowel’s one but were unable to score. With under a minute remaining in the second period, the Kincardine team failed to clear their zone and Listowel scored off a scramble. This was all the scoring they would need as they held on for the 1-0 victory. Game two in Kincardine two nights later was more of the same for the CTC boys. This time Listowel opened the scoring just a minute and half into the first when the Kinucks were hemmed in their zone and the Cyclones capitalized. Listowel was able to score one more in the subsequent two periods to take a 3-0 lead. Kincardine was awarded their fifth power play with just under two minutes remaining and with the goalie pulled for the extra attacker, Jordan Beisel scored an unassisted wrap-around tally. Final score, Listowel 3, Kincardine 1. Facing elimination in the Listowel Barn for game three, the Kinucks came out on a mission. Despite being penalized just 40 secs into the first and a minute into the second, they were able to take the lead half way through the second when Wilson Shipp sent Jordan Beisel in alone where he backhanded a shot past the Listowel ‘tender. With 50 secs remaining in the frame, Jordan Moulton cut across inside the Listowel blue-line and fired a laser into the top corner to give Kincardine a 2-0 lead. Listowel was able to cut into that lead with just 16 secs remaining in the second when they scored on a rebound. The third period was a tense one with Kincardine holding a 2-1 edge and not wanting to give an inch. Gordie Reaume made some key saves in the dying seconds to seal the Kincardine victory. On to game Four, back home in the friendly confines of the Davidson Centre. Once again, Kincardine’s goal scoring woes reared their ugly head as a combination of strong play by the Listowel defenders and sharp goaltending thwarted every Kincardine attack. Listowel’s aggressive forechecking and ability to drive the net paid off with a goal in each period to take the game 3-0 and the series, three games to one. The Kincardine Atoms certainly weren’t outmatched against the Cyclones but their inability to find the back of the net was the deciding factor in not being able to advance to the next round. Next up for the CTC Atom Kinucks are the WOAA play-offs and the Elmvale Tournament at the end of March.