Then Canadian Tire Girls Rep team started the weekend in desperate need of a win. Tough losses to Mount Forest, an exhibition game to Mitchell, and TCDMHA made it feel like a long time since the girls had experienced the sweet taste of victory. A home and home series against a Walkerton team that looked like a close match on paper would give the girls a chance to get themselves back in the win column.
Walkerton hosted the first game on Saturday evening. The focus was on putting pressure on the opposing player with the puck and on getting pucks to the net. Perhaps feeling a bit jittery in the Capitals home rink, the Kinucks were a bit scrambley in the opening frame. Some sloppy passing and careless play in front of the net left goalie Macara Brooks in a tough spot as she made the first and second save during a scramble, but could not make a third, as the Capitals jumped out to a 1-0 lead that would hold for the remainder of the period.
As the team huddled around coach Gratto, he could sense their tension. He encouraged the players to relax and play the way they knew how to play. Sure enough, the team responded. Four minutes into the second period the smooth skating Ela Jones scooped up a loose puck and broke in alone on the Capital's net, where she calmly deposited a shot 5-hole to tie the game.
The score stood knotted at one for the remainder of the period. The Kincardine forwards of Jones, Urie and Christie continued to apply pressure and were rewarded as stalwart defender Dayle Chinnick held the blue line in the offensive end and poked the puck the Kennedy Urie. Urie moved the puck to Christie who put just enough on the shot to sneak it under the goalie for the go-ahead goal. Gibson, Gratto and Talbot worked hard to get in on the action too, as their speed and strength started to wear down the Walkerton team. The Walkerton offence that caused some tense moments in the first period wilted as Chinnick, Carney, Scott and Legge shut them down before they could get going. Any offence that could get through was quickly snuffed out by Brooks between the pipes. Before the end of the games Jones would score her second goal of the game assisted by Gabby Legge. Final score 3-1.
It was a great effort by the entire team. While there were smiles and a small sense of relief in the dressing room, the girls knew that they would have to do it all over again Sunday afternoon when the Capitals would travel to the Davidson Centre looking for revenge.