Jan 03, 2016 | Jim Sherratt | 1002 views
Regular Season Ends for Atom Rep Mainstreet Credit Union Goderich Sailors
The Atom Rep Mainstreet Credit Union
Goderich Sailors (1-15-0) finished out their regular season Sunday
afternoon in Kincardine with a 7-1 loss to the division leading
Kincardine Kinucks (15-0-1). The Sailors have played the Kinucks in
three previous regular season games and a tournament game this
season. Although they have lost all the previous meetings, the
result has improved each time with Sunday’s game being no
exception.
The Sailors came out strong in the first period against the Kinucks, but could not take an early lead. Approaching the midway point of the period Kincardine opened the scoring. On the following play Iain was called for slashing giving the Kinucks their first powerplay opportunity of the game. The Sailors worked hard and were successful on the penalty kill. The Sailors would get their own powerplay opportunity before the end of the first period on a roughing penalty to Kincardine, but could not capitalise on the chance. Just as the powerplay was expiring Kincardine scored to go up 2-0.
The two teams traded chances for much of the second period. With two minutes left in the period, Graham and a Kincardine player were called for matching roughing penalties. Kincardine was able to score late in the penalties with only a few seconds left in the period to lead 3-1. Seconds later, Wesley chipped the puck off the boards and around the Kinuck defenceman and the referee to creating a two on one break with Iain. Wesley carried the puck into the zone drawing the netminder to the left, then passed to Iain who shot the puck into the open side. The goal cut the Kincardine lead to 3-1, but it was short-lived with Kincardine answering back with less than ten seconds left in the period to restore their three goal lead 4-1.
Within the first minute of the third period the Sailors went back on the powerplay with a Kincardine player being called for tripping. The boys could not take advantage of the chance. Kincardine scored twice early in the period to lead 6-1. The Sailors had two more powerplay opportunities but could not cut into the Kinucks five goal lead. Kincardine added a shorthanded goal late in the second penalty to lead 7-1. With just under two minutes left in the period Caeleb was called for body contact and the Sailors ended the game and the regular season on the penalty kill.
Next up for the Sailors is the Fort Erie Winter Challenge tournament. The Sailors play two games on Friday against Petrolia Atom AE Oilers (8-10-0) and Fort Erie Atom AE Jr. Meteors (1-13-3). Their third game is Saturday afternoon against Schomberg Red Wings (24-3-0). Good Luck Sailors!