Nov 23, 2014 | WarrenB | 991 views
CHRIS KNOTT MEMORIAL CHAMPIONS!
Great week of action for Kincardine Legion peewees.
Back to back tournament championships for the boys!!
The week kicked off with a home tilt against the tough Listowel Cyclones. The Cyclones would lead 1-0 after the first period. After 2 periods the home town Kinucks had dug a hole trailing 4-2. Both goals in the second were scored by Captain Colhoun, assists went to Mack "LESS HAIR" Beisel (2), Jordan Beisel (JB), and Kaleb "BLINKSTER" Smith. The pep talk between periods worked well as the team came out flying and drew some power play opportunities. Making good on the power plays were Colhoun with 2 more strikes (giving him 4 on the night)! Cale Gibson would score with 4 minutes remaining to tie the game 5-5. Assisting on the third period goals were Nolan "SMILES" MacKinnon, Ethan "SHINPADS" Petrie, and JB. The game would finish up a 5-5 tie, and the Kinucks had something to build off of coming back with a very strong third period to earn a point against a very strong team from Listowel.
The peewees would prepare to head north on highway 21 to take part in the 19th annual Chris Knott memorial tournament hosted by Saugeen Shores minor hockey. The Kinucks would start the tournament against the Saugeen Shores Storm Friday afternoon. The Kinucks struggled in this game to generate any quality offensive chances and therefore dropped the opener 4-0. This squad has not showed well in opening games of tournaments which has gained concern from coaches and the management team. The team would now have an 8AM start Saturday morning against Tavistock at the Coliseum in Southampton. A good night's sleep was certainly in order, for the players anyway. Kincardine came out flying and had a 4-0 lead after the first 10 minute period. Goals came from Kevin "MOUTHGUARD" Coady, Petrie, Zach "CHARA" Wallsy, and JB. Setting the scoring up was Gibby, JB, MacKinnon, Colhoun, and petrie. The Kinucks would cruise to a 6-1 victory! Other scorers were MacKinnon and JB, set up by Coady, Colhoun, and M. Beisel.
Game three was back at the Plex in Port at 11AM versus Paris. The Kinucks would build a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Wallsy, MacKinnon, and Colhoun. Assists went to Gibby, Coady, and Petrie. However Paris did not quit and came back to make it 3-2, this proved to be a very interesting finish when it looked like the Kinucks squad had the game under control. (The team learner not to sit back on a lead in this contest.) They would manage to hang on for the 3-2 victory thanks to some timely saves by goaltender Hayden Richardson late in the contest.
After the second victory of the day the team now had to get home and rest up for yet another 8AM start Sunday in the quarter finals, this time at the Plex. the Kinucks would play Paris again and wanted to be sure they were able to finish the game better than they had a day earlier. And they did just that with a convincing 6-0 win scoring two goals in each period to advance to the semi finals. Goals came off the sticks of Colhoun (2), Wallsy (2), Smitty, and MacKinnon. Assists were well earned by Petrie (2), Coady (2), JB, and MacKinnon. Trent "COURTS" Courtney earned the shutout in goal for the Kinucks!
The semis would earn a date with Petrolia at 11AM. With the opportunity to advance and have another shot at the home town Storm team in the finals the Legion peewees came out hard and scored early on a goal from Colhoun unassisted. In the middle frame the Kinucks would add to the lead on a strike by Zach "I LOVE BACON" Wallsy assisted by Coady. That was all the scoring required as the Kinucks earned back to back shutouts with a 2-0 victory. This time Hayden "QUICK LEGS" Richardson would get the goose egg!
Riding some solid goaltending and timely balanced scoring the Kinucks were now on their way to the finals at 3PM vs the host team (Saugeen Shores Storm) who had only needed to play three games to get to the finals (winning all three games). Your Kinucks took the longer more challenging route with five games played and two of them being at 8AM mainly thanks to the tournament opening lose to the Storm. The Kinucks didn't want any excuses all they wanted was an opportunity. And the group certainly responded with a MUCH deserved 6-4 victory!! Scoring by period was 2-2 after 1, 5-2 Kinnnnnnnuckerrrrrrrrs after 2 (whoot whoot) and make the final 6-4. (Thanks to a much needed flood after the second the squad was able to rest, have some fruit and regroup to prepare for the extremely challenging third ahead of them at the time.) Once again a very balanced attack with goals scored by Colhoun (2), MacKinnon (2), JB and Gibby. Drawing helpers on the goals were JB, M. Beisel, Coady, Gibby, Mitch Pyke and the BACONATOR (Wallsy). Courts was solid in the pipes in the third to preserve the victory and championship which earned him the player of the game award for the Kinucks (selected by the Storm bench staff).
Other player of the game award winners throughout the tournament were Wallsy (2), MacKinnon, Richardson, and Captain Colhoun.
CONGRATULATIONS to the Legion peewees on a very successful weekend and playing 6 games in 50 hours! WELL DONE! Thank you to the coaching staff (Blair Pollock, Shawn Stewart, and Brett Catto) who had 2 very early mornings on top of playing 2 late evening games with the Ripley Wolves Sr. team.
Also of extremely important mention is the AWESOME display of skills our 5 Kinucks showed when taking part in the skills competition Saturday afternoon as part of the tournament. Wallzy had the hardest shot at 100km/hr! Captain Colhoun won the puck control obstacle course. Kaleb Smith was the fastest skater champion. Nolan MacKinnon and Hayden Richardson (goalie) showed extremely well in the shootout portion of the skills comp. Congrats boys you represented your team very very well!
I would like to thank the organizers of this weekend tournament it was a treat to be involved.
The Legion peewees are next in action this coming Wednesday as they head to Walkerton for a 6PM match!
GO KINUCKS GO!