The Larry Hudson Mitchell Midget Reps traveled to Kincardine on Thursday evening, where the league champions waited for them to play game six in this OMHA playoff series at the Davidson Centre. Unless you live in Ittoqqortoormitt, Greenland or Oymyakon, Siberia, I am going to assume those reading this, already know the outcome, so spoiler alert, the boys lost :(. Remarkably, the boys made it a series, where even the best bookies in Vegas could not have factored in the grit, the passion, the fun and lastly, the heart that the boys demonstrated to make it one of the greatest OMHA series and come backs in recent memory.
Facing certain elimination numerous times throughout this series, the boys never stopped, the boys never quit, instead, they displayed the maturity and discipline needed to force game six and the fate of this fantastic series. It was the classical Biblical David and Goliath story, it was the children’s classic The Mighty Casey at Bat, but in the end it was the first book I read, The Little Engine That Couldn’t.
With the Kincardine barn filling, both teams stepped onto the ice to a thunderous commotion, cheers, air horns, whistles, boards pounding and deafening applause, all of which you better get used to if you were at this game, as this commotion would be heard throughout the game and town of Kincardine. As the players lined up for the first face-off of the evening, a deafening silence crept its way in the commotion allowing the sound of the puck to be heard bouncing off the ice, echoing throughout the building and signalling the long awaited start to game 6. The significance of this game warranted a four man reffing system and in a short 45 minutes, this game will be just but a memory, good for some, not for others. The adrenaline, testosterone and estrogen that coursed throughout the veins of all in attendance would make this another unforgettable match up between players and fans.
With the league champion's back against the wall as well tonight, they came out dominating and out playing the boys and were soon reward with that all important first goal, making it 1-0 at the 12:53 mark of the first. Not to be intimidated, the boys quickly shook if off and bounced back with Conner McLean tying it at 4:59… but wait, no goal…WHAT!! The Mitchell fans knew it, the Kincardine fans knew it, but the only person that could, was not going to resind the call, ending the period at 1-0 and many questioning the advantages of this 4 man reffing system.
The second starts with Mitchell at a two minute disadvantage and two minutes later, the score would remain the same. At the 11:56 mark, Mitchell’s Declan Catalan sends the puck passed his adversary’s glove, tying the game with assists going to both Wyatt Huitema and Raymond Horan. This goal creates a different momentum in the game for the boys and brings cheers and optimism to the Mitchell fans, disbelief and dismay to the others in attendance. This eupboriaic experience would unfortunately be short lived as another questionable call is made, signalling a goal to the home town favourites after the whistle and the play had been determined to be dead …UNBELIEVABLE. The second period ends disappointingly 2-1.
The third would be Mitchell's demise with the hosts scoring three legit goals and ending the game 5-1.
What a privilege watching these two teams play the game of hockey!! Although a rough series, I would say never a dirty series, but a “h” “e” "double hockey sticks" of a series! Thank to the fans who drove up the game and those who choose to take the bus. Special thank you to Darcy and Missy for donating their time to drive the bus and getting this crazy, cheering section to Kincardine safely.
The boys and coaching staff, well what can be said? You all gave Goliath a series they never expected and your fans and parents something to be very proud of. The forwards, Declan Catalan, Josh Eidt, Devin Fenwick, Logan Harmer, Raymond Horan, Seth Huygen, Conner Lockhart, Conner McLean, Caleb Tweddle and the defensive end Eric Gettler, Joe Hill, Wyatt Huitema, Kyle Richardson, Jarret Vink, Braydon Vosper and our great goalie, Ryan Bell, coaching staff, Greg Wise, Kevin Gettler, Scott McLean and Jim Tweddle, all that is left to say is thank you for the great series.
The Larry Hudson Mitchell Midget Reps travel to Goderich to play the Sailors for the first time this year, game time 830.
GW