Atom AE Kinucks and Saugeen Shores Storm in Play-off Series Thriller!, News, Atom AE, 2013-2014 (Kincardine Minor Hockey Association)

This Team is part of the 2013-2014 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Jan 18, 2014 | Steve | 816 views
Atom AE Kinucks and Saugeen Shores Storm in Play-off Series Thriller!
The culmination of the regular season saw the Kincardine Atom AE Kinucks claim second place in the standings, putting them up against the bottom placed Saugeen Shores Storm for the All Ontario play-offs. Although that might read like a good thing for the Kinucks, with four regular season victories over Saugeen Shores, the Kincardine coaching staff had an uneasy feeling starting this, knowing that the Storm had improved significantly over the year.

Prior to the series commencing, the Kinucks Head Coach Doug MacTavish would roll out some tactical changes in an effort to create more offense for a Kincardine team that is generally defensively sound. Caydence Gibson would be moved up from defence onto the wing, while Brock Courtney would drop back into a defensive position to support the other defensive members; Thede, Stevenson and Condie. David Ulak and Noah Page would move to different lines, while Cam Fletcher would also be moved up from defense to forward, as part of these changes. Now, I’m no hockey expert, but some might think the latter move appeared a little desperate, since defenseman Fletcher hasn’t scored a goal for almost two years! However, time would tell I suppose..

The series started with back to back games and the Saugeen Shores Storm quickly took a two game lead, with 1-0 and 2-0 victories. Real credit should be given to the Storm for both their significant improvement and solid work ethic. However, anybody that watched the games could not disagree that the ‘Hockey Gods’ were certainly not favouring the Kinucks. This was particularly evident in the second game, when Kincardine could not buy a goal, no matter how many chances they had. But, at the end of the day, you win with goals scored not chances created, so fair play to the much-improved Storm.

With the Kinucks trailing 2-0 in the series, my initial observations / concerns on the tactical changes were possibly looking to be justified. Kincardine were licking their wounds prior to a Friday night match-up that could see their All Ontario hopes crushed, if they were to lose. The Kinucks took to the ice in Southampton, knowing that they had to get a result. Unfortunately, this looked to be in real jeopardy when the Storm were awarded a penalty shot in the first minute of the game! Thankfully, for those following Kincardine, Jared Petrie would come up with a big save to help his team out.

This save would prove to be the catalyst for the Kinucks to apply some first period pressure, where they`d out shoot the Storm 9-3. Brock Courtney was solid defensively, as he won a battle for the puck, releasing Sam MacTavish down the left wing. The talented MacTavish would look to skate the puck behind the Storm net, but as he approached he backhanded a beauty pass out front. Sure enough, Cam Fletcher would skate onto the feed, firing a wrist shot over the glove hand of the Storm goalie. As mentioned previously, this was Fletcher`s first goal in two years! A few shifts later he would have some time to think about it, when he was assessed a 2-minute roughing penalty, following a minor skirmish at the Storm net.  

Shortly after this the Kinucks found themselves up 2-0. Aiden Berkman provided a nice feed for Carson `The Jet` Boettinger to fire the puck home. Boettinger`s jubilation would be displayed in typical fashion with another one of his signature celebrations.

2-0 up in the third period and the Kinucks looked to be flying. Well, this wasn`t to be the case as Kincardine would be assessed a series penalties, about which I`d best not comment on. Tomas Nancekivell, Aiden Berkman and Brock Courtney would all be the recipients of two minute penalties. Sure enough, Saugeen Shores took full advantage of the extra skater and fought back. Credit to the Storm, because with 9 minute remaining in the game, not only had they tied it up, but Joseph Anderson had given them a 3-2 lead, giving Johnny Graham no chance, in the Kincardine net. Things were looking bleak for the Kinucks!

Again, shorthanded, with six minutes remaining Jessie Anderson took off down the wing like the Kincardine Express. It should be said that Anderson was magnificent throughout this game and her next pass would be to the same standard. Sliding the puck six feet in front of the net, left winger Cam Fletcher latched onto it, again, firing it high over the goalies glove. Goal two for Fletcher and there is the possibility of some humble pie heading my way!

This game was going to sudden death overtime. Surprisingly, Kincardine would yet again be short-handed when Brock Courtney was assessed a two minute tripping penalty! Thanks to the hard skating of Noah Page, Zack Eybergen, Lauren Thede and company the Kinucks would hang on to the 3-3 tie. The series continues, but the games are now must win for Kincardine.

Head Coach Doug MacTavish, was incredibly frustrated at a certain area of the game, that I`m sure the readers can figure out for themselves. However, he thought the kids ability to work so hard and get a result, despite this, was absolutely brilliant!

Although, not for the faint hearted, the series continues…

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