The Mainstreet Credit Union Atom Rep team played their
second game of the 2015-2016 season on Sunday at the Memorial Arena. The
Sailors faced the Kincardine Kinucks in the first of four games this
season. The game was a lopsided 15-1
loss to the Kinucks for a Sailors team that is continuing to become familiar with
each other.
The Kincardine Kinucks came into Sunday’s game against the Sailors having won their season opener against Mitchell 4-1. Kincardine has two returning players from the Kinucks Atom Rep team that reached the All Ontario finals last season. With Mitchell, Aiden and A.J. unable to play, the Sailor’s called upon Cameron, Wyatt and Sawyer for Sunday’s game.
For the second game in a row the MCU Atom Rep team gave up an early goal. Kincardine opened the scoring 25 seconds into the game. The Kinucks got a couple of fortunate bounces to extend their lead. The first period ended with the Sailors trailing 7-0.
Early in the second period Graham was called for cross-checking putting the Sailors on the penalty kill. Goderich was not able to kill the penalty allowing a goal with 30 seconds left. Kincardine scored again quickly and added three more goals before the end of the period. The Sailors had their first of three powerplay opportunities in the second period with a Kincardine player being called for hooking, but could not score on the Kincardine netminder.
Trailing 12-0 at the end of the second period, Goderich continued to battle to get on the scoreboard. Early in the third period Iain scored coming down the left side and cutting towards the net with a goal over the left shoulder of the Kincardine goalie reminiscent of his tally in last week’s game. Shortly after the goal, Wesley was called for holding as he tried to get around a Kincardine player along the boards in the neutral zone. Seconds into the penalty, Kincardine was called for a body contact penalty nullifying the man advantage. The boys continued some strong play, but could not score to start a comeback. Late in the period they had another powerplay with a Kincardine player in the penalty box for hooking, but gave up two short-handed goals.
The final score was 15-1, but did not reflect the strong effort from the Sailors. Despite a 0-2 record in the regular season, this year’s team continues to show improvement. They had several good scoring opportunities and shows signs of breaking out.
Next up for the Sailors is a Thursday evening game against the BCH Ice Dogs. Thursday’s game is the first of four against the Ice Dogs this season.