It
was a triumphant first tournament of the season for the Home Hardware Novice
Rep Kinucks.
Catching
stride after a 2-1 round robin, the Kinucks cruised through 2 playoff games,
capturing the annual Roy Beechey Memorial Rep
Tournament in Tillsonburg, October 24th-26th weekend.
To open the tournament, Kincardine scored in the first 9 seconds and went on to pound Penetang 9-0 Friday. Goal scorers were Brandon Bishop (4), Nolan Janes (3), Trent Houghton and Jordan McDonald. Assists went to Bishop, Janes and Houghton.
In Game 2 of the round robin, the Kinucks grinded out a tough 4-3 victory over a strong and chippy Wallaceburg squad Saturday morning. After a scoreless first, the teams traded goals twice in the 2nd to end the period deadlocked at 2. Scoring for the Kinucks was Houghton from Bishop and Bishop unassisted. The Kinucks went ahead midway through the 3rd on another goal from Bishop, but Wallaceburg would tie the game shortly thereafter. With less than a minute to go, Janes potted the eventual game winner from Aiden Renaud to push the Novice’s round robin record to 2-0.
The only blemish on the Kinucks’ record would come in the 3rd and final game of the round robin vs the St. Marys Rock. Kincardine spotted the Rock a 4-0 lead through 2 periods and would not recover, dropping the game 4-2. Third period scorers for Kincardine was Janes unassisted and Bishop from Josh Cuyler and Murray Collins.
In the semis, the Kinucks drew the host Tillsonburg Tornadoes on Sunday morning. Kincardine’s dynamic centremen duo of Bishop and Janes shocked the hometown Tornadoes in the opening frame, both scoring 2 goals apiece to put the Kinucks up 4-0 after the 1st. Assists went to Houghton, Renuad, and Gavin Beaty. After a scoreless 2nd, Kincardine tacked on three more in the 3rd to advance to Finals. Scoring in the 3rd was Bishop (2) and Janes. Houghton picked up the lone assist in the 3rd.
For a second time, Kincardine faced off against Wallaceburg with the tournament crown on the line. After falling behind 1-0 early, the Kinucks would take advantage of some rough, undisciplined play from their opponents scoring 4 unanswered goals in the final two frames to take home the title. Bishop led the attack with a natural hattrick and Houghton tacked on an empty netter in the win. Janes was credited with the only assist in the game.
Through 5 games, the netminding tandem of Rowen Cherrett and Jack Anderson only allowed an astounding 6 goals.
Photo: back row (left to right): Jeremy Beaty, assistant coach; Art Houghton, trainer; Rob Bishop, head coach, and Cory Cuyler, trainer. Middle row (left to right): Gavin Beaty, Jack Beddington, Ty McQuillin, Jordan McDonald, Evan Graham, Trent Houghton, Murray Collins, Nolan Janes, Brandon Bishop, Joshua Cuyler, Aiden Renaud and Jude Hodgins. Front row (left to right): Rowen Cherrett and Jack Anderson.