The Canadian Tire Atom Girls Rep team headed inland for a rematch with the first place TCDMHA Rebels in Desboro on Saturday, December 20. When they last met the Kincardine girls battled hard for a 1-1 tie. They knew they would be in tough against a high powered offence and a very stingy Rebels defence.
Right from the opening face off the teams proved to be evenly matched. The game flowed from end to end with Macara Brooks being tested early and often. She was up to the test as she got pads down to cover the low shots and direct the puck out of harms way. In the offensive end centers Ella Gratto and Dakota Christie-Wylds patrolled the middle lane while wingers Caydence Gibson, Morgan Talbot, Kennedy Urie and Ela Jones provided support from the wings. Halfway through the first period the Kinucks minted a sustained attack on the Rebels net. Caydence Gibson worked the puck free and got it to the stick of Gabby 'Noodles' Legge. Legge unloaded a laser along the ice and with Gratto and Talbot screening the net the goalie had no idea where the puck was until it slammed into the back of the net. The Kinucks were off to a great start.
The Rebels, however, are undefeated for a reason. They mounted a strong attack and within minutes they gathered a rebound after a Brooks save and tied it up. The Rebels managed to pot 2 more before the period ended to put the Kinucks in a tight spot.
At the intermission Coach Gratto gathered the girls to reignite the fire they had in the opening of the first period. Stressing the importance if cleaning up the loose pucks in front of our end and being the first to the puck along the boards, the message seemed to sink as there was back and forth action with Brooks seeing lots of rubber coming her way. Defense parings of Legge and Jorja Scott, Taylor Carney and Dayle Chinnick kept the puck moving as they worked it along the boards to the forwards. Despite some strong team play and passing the girls were unable to beat the Rebels goalie. The second period ended as it began, with the Kinucks down by a pair of goals.
As the team gathered for the start of the third period the team knew they were still in it and they needed to strike fast. Things did not go as planned. In the opening minute Brooks was forced to make 2 quick saves as the Kincardine players tried vainly to coral the rebound. An unlucky bounce put the puck on a Rebels stick for an easy goal. The girls did not give up but the size of the TCDMH defence proved to be a formidable obstacle as shots were hard to come by, and what did get through was handled by the goalie. Before the period was out the Rebels scored again for a final score of 5-1.
Taylor Carney received the hard hat for the solid work in front of the net.
In light of recent very convincing wins, the loss was a valuable learning experience for players and coaching staff alike. The team has its sights set on the upcoming Silver Stick tournament and look forward to the opportunity to meet the Rebels again.