On Saturday December 20, Kincardine MTC Computers Atom LL1 travelled
to Goderich for a rematch with the Sailors.
The previous game was an exciting match with plenty of end to end action
in which the Kinucks came out on top 3-1.
Kincardine was looking to start the Holiday season with some good cheer.
Kincardine got off to a fast start with Charlie Hall Elwood breaking in off the opening faceoff but Sailors goalie Matthew Blok made the save. Goderich dominated the next 5 to 6 minutes culminating in a break for the Sailors big defenseman Adam Roulston, but Bryan Nicholson refused to give up on the play and made a nice poke check from behind before Roulston could get the shot off. This seemed to rally the MTC troops as they began a period of sustained pressure. Kole Price stopped a clearing attempt at the line and fed Mitchell Hackett who moved in front and picked the top corner to open the scoring. Kincardine continued to apply pressure until the horn ended the period with the Kinucks up 1-0.
The 2nd period began much as the 1st with Charlie Hall Elwood attacking from the left side but being thwarted by Blok again. The rebound landed on Adam Nasime’s stick but he just failed to tuck it in. Goderich relieved the pressure as Jaden McIntosh broke away, but Isaiah Wencel kept after him and forced a weak shot that Nathan Desmond handled easily. A mysterious penalty put the Sailors on a power play, which they immediately converted when a Liam Doherty shot off the faceoff led to a rebound that was tapped in the open side by Jaden McIntosh. With the game tied the Sailors gained confidence and went on the attack. Some hard work behind the net by Evan Beddow freed up a puck for John Smith who quickly fed Divan Van Tondler in front who banged it home before Nathan could react to give the Sailors a 2-1 lead. Goderich looked like they might take over the game but some solid defensive work from Ryan Bytheway and Owen Kirk along with forward Victor Cox kept breaking up the plays as they developed. Then when Jaden McIntosh broke in again Nathan Desmond came up with the big save. The pressure was finally released when Kole Price and Isaiah Wencel broke away together on a nice passing exchange but Kole’s shot just missed. Just before the period ended Lucas Watson made a nice behind the back pass to Charlie Hall Elwood but again the dangerous play went just off target.
The third period began with the end-to-end action that was featured in the first game as the Sailors tried to extend their lead while the Kinucks were desperate to even things up. When Adam Nasime was able to block a clearing attempt, Charlie Elwood advanced it up the boards to Mitchell Hackett who took it across the front of the net and slipped a low shot in the short side to even it up at 2-2. Off the following faceoff Adam Roulston went on another attack that looked dangerous until Bryan Nicholson was able to foil him again. As play continued, Lucas Watson appeared to break free but was taken down by a Goderich defenseman to set up a power play opportunity. Kincardine struggled a bit at the start of the PP but eventually moved the puck into the Sailor zone. As the puck moved behind the Sailor net, Kole Price did some excellent board work to free up the puck and fed it in front to Adam Nasime who quickly slapped it in for the go-ahead goal. Kincardine’s luck began to change as a couple of quick penalties resulted in them being 2 men short while they tried to defend their slim lead. Again, stalwart defense from the tandem of Owen Kirk and Ryan Bytheway keyed an excellent penalty kill with Kole Price making some timely clearing plays. When the advantage was reduced to one it was Nathan Desmond who came up big with a couple of timely saves to keep the Sailors from tying it up. The Kinucks held them off to claim a 3-2 win.