The Larry Hudson Mitchell Midget Reps hosted the Kincardine Kinucks for game five of the best of the 6 point series in the OMHA playoffs on Monday evening in front of a standing room only barn. The Kinucks are leading the series 5 points to 3. If the boys win game 5, it will force a game 6 in this OMHA playoff action in Kincardine. After finally conquering the unbeatable league Kinucks last Sunday, tying them on Saturday night, the boys have realized, the invincible Goliath is not so invincible, and David through sheer determination can decide the fate of this series.
As the boys waited for the zamboni to finish clearing the ice, the crowd started to file in. Tonight's chatter from the visitors was different than from pervious encounters, instead of assuming, they were now hoping to finish the series tonight, recognizing their unestimated the hosts ability.
As the players lined up for the first face-off of the evening, a deep sign could be heard throughout the building as the puck bounced off the ice, game 5 would soon be some-type of a memory for one of the teams. Oh, the adrenaline that must had been pumping through the players on the ice as Mitchell wins the first face-off against they adversary….Goliath. To no ones surprise, the play is intense and filled with testosterone releasing hits, but it would be Mitchell’s forward, Connor Lockhart, that would be first to create mayhem in the arena at the 11:07 mark, receiving a tape to tape pass from Conner McLean and Seth Huygen as the all important first goal of the game is snatched from Kincardine’s reach. This line has been great throughout this series, finding Kincardine’s Achille’s heel and five minutes later they would double the score, when Huygen and Lockhart unselfishly send the puck to McLean, who sent it blistering past the visitors goalie. Unfortunately, the scoring was not done in the first and the giant awakens, cutting our lead in half with just seconds remaining in the first ending the period at 2-1.
A humbling sigh can once again be felt throughout the arena as the puck hits the ice surface to start the second. As the boards are stressed with the impact of bodies being crushed into them, Mitchell takes a commanding 3-1 lead at the 13:54 mark by the devastating trio, Huygen, Lockhart, McLean with Seth this time registering his first goal of the game. Not having been in this situation all year before, the Kincardine fans sit awkwardly and quiet, where the Mitchell fans sit awkwardly and quiet as well, but for exactly the opposite reason… The first power play goes to Kincardine and two minutes later the score would remain the same, thanks to the incredible efforts of Ryan Bell and Mitchell’s defensive lines. At the 7:06 mark, the score keeper pushes the 4 on the home side of the board as Raymond Horan will register his first goal of the evening, with Declan Catalan taking the assist. Mitchell would receive the second penalty of the game as well, however with the disadvantage this time to the home favourites, the Kinucks make no mistakes and double their score ending the second period at 4-2.
The two teams retire to the dressing rooms in anticipation of the third, one can only imagine the contrasting discussions that happened behind those closed doors between the teams. As the third starts, there is an eerie awareness from the home town fans, in order to win and force a game 6, the boys must win and get those two points. We also know the resilience of the Kincardine team is exceptional, and it will be a long, nail biting, emotional 15 minutes of hockey left to play. As predicted, the Kinucks come out dominating the play and quickly make it 4-3 at the 14:32 mark, closing that much needed gap to defeating the home team to just one goal. The third period is that period, where every face off, every hit, every whistle, every shot is met with the ooo’s and the ahahah’s from the fans at both ends of the arena. As the clock becomes the enemy, Kincardine adds the extra player, knowing a tie wins this series, however what they underestimated was the incredible will our players have and with Harmer getting possession adds the insurance into the empty net with 56 seconds remaining on the clock, 5-3 ending the game.
As the visiting fans filtered out of the arena, the usual reasons for the loss could be heard, but in the end it is about a group of boys that have taken all year to show their passion and love for a game, defying the odds and are having a lot of fun doing so!
The Larry Hudson Mitchell Midget Reps travel to Kincardine this Thursday evening, this game will be played until a winner is declared. As I said in the last article, but truly believe it needs repeated, what a privilege watching these two teams play the game of hockey!! Regardless of who wins on Thursday, it has been a hell of a series