After a disappointing finish in the Clinton Optimist Tournament, the Bantam Rep Sailors needed to regroup and focus on team building. Despite some losses, the team has been steadily working toward playing as an efficient unit. Two exhibition games vs. the Kincardine Kinucks and one league game against Seaforth have been played so far in December.
On December 5, the Sailors met the Kinucks on home ice. The two teams battled it out for most of the first period, until a power play goal put the Kinucks up 1-0. Just before the buzzer, a powerful shot from the point widened the Kinuck's lead, 2-0. The Sailors stepped it up a notch in the second, with DJ Stevenson scoring to close the gap 2-1, assisted by Taylor Helesic and Brandon Johnston. Kincardine poured on the heat for the rest of the period, but the Sailors kept their opponents at bay, and the period ended 2-1. Despite some great saves by net-minder Jordan Johnston and a sweet little goal by Mykal Hodges, it wasn't enough to contain the strong Kinucks, who scored three more goals, making it a 5-2 loss for the Sailors.
December 9 saw the Sailors meeting the Seaforth Stars at the YMCA. It was hard and fast action in the first period, and after many unsuccessful attempts, the Stars were able to slip two goals in the net before the buzzer, 2-0 Seaforth. The second period was scoreless, but the Sailors had some good rushes that propelled them into the third period. Even after the Stars scored their third goal, the Goderich boys kept pouring it on, resulting in Chad Kernighan's goal at 5:55, assisted by Evan Guest. Just a few short seconds later, the Sailors netted another goal, popped in by Steve De Jager on passes by Stevenson and Johnston. Despite their renewed vigour in the third, the Sailors would not score any more goals, and would suffer a 3-2 loss, but the boys played well.
Two days later, the Sailors traveled to Kincardine for a rematch with the Kinucks. The Sailors were a digging and hungry team in the first period. After a breakaway for Kincardine resulted in the first goal of the game, Sailor Taylor Helesic answered back with a decisive goal of his own to tie it at one apiece. The second period was scoreless with goalie Brady Bowman making excellent saves and aggressively guarding the crease. At 13:38 of the third period, the Kincardine team got a bit of a break and was able to net their second goal, putting them up 2-1. Brandon Johnston found the net and buried one at 4:25, tying it up for the Sailors once again. Great plays and passes were happening for Goderich, and the game was starting to get physical near the end. Unfortunately, the Kinucks were able to pop a short-handed goal in with just a minute left in the game, and the Sailors lost 3-2. A very well-played game for our Sailors! They meet the Milverton Royals at 7 pm this Thursday night, December 16, at the YMCA. Come out and support your Bantam Reps!