Mount Forest Rams 1 - Kincardine Kinucks 2
BCH Ice Dogs 0 - Kincardine Kinucks 2
The Kincardine Atom AE Kinucks closed out the season with some back to back wins. The final two victories came in away games against the Mount Forest Rams and the BCH Ice Dogs, respectively.
The game against Mount Forest would see the Kinucks snatch a 2-1 victory, in a game where they had to hang on for the win during a spate of penalties that saw Carson Boettinger, Holden Stevenson and Brock Courtney make visits to the penalty box. This period of shorthanded play did see an exhibition of 'girl power' when the penalty killing unit of Lauren Thede, Caydence Gibson and Jessie Anderson were sent out to thwart the Rams 5 on 3 advantage, which they duly did. This was really quite typical of what these girls brought to the team, this season. Never backing down to any physical battle, which I was incredibly impressed by, I must say.
Both of the goals against Mount Forest were both supplied by Zack Eyebergen, with assists being attributed to his wingers Jessie Anderson and Cam Fletcher.
This article would not be complete with out mentioning a save that was provided by Johnny Graham, in the final minute of play. Possibly not wanting to be out done by his goaltending partner, Jared Petrie, who pulled off similar last minute heroics the week before, Graham snatched a puck that seemed to be destined for the top corner, with cat-like reflexes. This would guarantee his team the two points.
Coach Randy Gibson, was very pleased with all of the kids performances against Mount Forest, mentioning that the forward line of Eybergen, Anderson and Fletcher were really starting to gel.
The final game of the season meant a long drive down to Hensal for a final match up with the BCH Ice Dogs. These games have been entertaining throughout the entire season, but this final one would prove to be somewhat of an enigma. Somewaht ironically, the Kinucks would deliver a season best performance of hard skating and superb passing, tearing the Ice Dogs wide open at times. Maybe they peaked just a little late??
The Kinucks would take a first period lead through the line that had played so well in the Mount Forest game. Jessie Anderson netted her seventh goal of the season, with assists going to her line mates of Eybergen and Fletcher. This would secure Eybergen's position, leading the team in overall points for the season, pushing ahead of Sam MacTavish who had also proven to be a prolific marksman, this year. It would also secure Cam Fletcher's position with the most assists, for the converted defenseman, now forward.
Similar to the Mount Forest game, the Kinucks would have to endure some short-handed play if they were going to see the season out with a win. Carson Boettinger had claimed his seventh goal of the season, giving the Kinucks a 2-0 lead, before the penalty problems ensued. Eybergen, Gibson and Courtney would all be awarded minor penalties, in quick succession. If we're continuing the theme of counting end of season statistics, then this two minute penalty for Brock Courtney, certainly secured his season lead, with 48 minutes in total. In fairness, the two minute tripping penalty for Courtney was a genuine effort to play the puck, on the break away Ice Dog forward.
The Kinucks had to hang onto their lead with some gritty short-handed play. Noah Page would lead the way in typical fashion, for the penalty killing specialist. Ably supported by the hard working David Ulak, Aiden Berkman, Tomas Nancekivell and Dakota Condie, the Kinucks would fend off the BCH attacks. Like many of their Kinuck team mates, Ulak, Condie, Nancekivell and Berkman should be particularly pleased with their own personal development this season, in my opinion.
On the subject of individual development this game would see Holden Stevenson deliver a formidable defensive performance, as he rushed up the ice like Bobby Orr! This performance would earn Stevenson a deserved 'hardest working player award'.
Headcoach, Doug MacTavish, was absolutely thrilled with the team performance. It wasn't just one particular line or player that delivered, but everyone that delivered a superb passing performance, which kinda left you wondering 'what might have been'? MacTavish thought it was a brilliant way to finish the season, simply ecstatic with every single player.
All in all, it has been an exceptional hockey experience for these kids. From the brilliant management of Courtney Page to the coaching provided by Doug MacTavish, Randy Gibson, Catherine Thede and Chris Wainwright. Whether you want to talk about the goaltending of Petrie and Graham or the goals of Eyebergen and MacTavish? The hard work and penalty killing of Page, Boettinger, Ulak and Berkman? Or the girl contingent of Anderson, Gibson and Thede? The positional flexibilty that was provided by Brock Courtney or Tomas Nancekivell? Or the solid defensive play of Stevenson, Condie and Thede? Or how much the team missed the hard working Bailey Pierson following an unfortunate broken wrist? The entire experience was excellent for a very talented AE group, that were brought together for the first time, this season.
It was great stuff for an excellent bunch of kids, with much thanks going to those that gave up their time to run team!