The Canadian Tire Atom Girls Rep team woke to snow on Saturday morning, but the cool temperatures did not do anything but heat their desire for a third consecutive win as they travelled to Lion's Head for the second game in the home and home series.
Last week the girls dominated play for the entire game, but they knew that the Lion's Head coaches spent the week preparing for their next meeting. Could the Kinucks match the performance from October 26? Coach Gratto used the pre-game talk to emphasize the need for speed and puck support and getting pucks to the net if the girls were to keep the winning streak alive.
From the opening minute to final buzzer the Kinucks were playing like an indomitable force. Wave after wave of orange and white surged into the Lion's Head zone. Strong play along the boards by the wingers Morgan Talbot, Kennedy Urie, Ela Jones and Caydence Gibson kept the puck moving as centres Ella Gratto and Dakota Christie-Wylds prowled the front of the net. Once again the Kinucks defense played tough 'D' on the blue line- Gabby 'Noodles' Legge, Dayle 'Chinny' Chinnick, Jorja Scott and Taylor Carney demonstrated great judgement in knowing when to pinch and hustle in chasing down loose pucks that occasionally strayed close to Kincardine's blue line. Despite strong pressure, the opposition goalie was up to the challenge and held Kincardine to one goal when Gibson poked home a loose puck courtesy of Jones and Gratto.
The Kinucks defense used the second period to demonstrate their strength as Legge skated end to end using her size and speed to break in alone only to stymied by the toe of the Lions Head goalie. Scott also made a strong rush into the offensive end to test the opposition. Even though the pressure was maintained, the girls could not find the back of the net and the second period ended 1-0.
The third was a different story. Three minutes in Ella Gratto scored on a scramble in front of the net with an assist going to Gibson. More pressure followed as Talbot put on a burst of speed to break in alone and fire a hard shot that was smothered by the goalie. Taylor Carney held the blue line as she repeatedly came up with the puck and fired shot after shot into the scrum in front of the net. With three minutes left Gratto put the game out of reach with her second goal of the game with assists going to Gibson and Scott. Christie-Wylds snuck one in with 0.2 seconds left to end the period with assists going to Talbot and Jones.
The coaches were pleased with the strong effort and team play. The hardest worker hard hat went to Morgan Talbot for her strong play along the boards and commitment to playing her position. The girls look forward to keeping the streak alive as they travel to play West Grey at the Normanby arena next Saturday.