The Walkerton Capitals played host to the two Hanover teams on consecutive nights.  As the season is into final stages before playoffs begin each and every game is important as points are at a premium.  The last meetings between the teams were close, tight checking and these games would be no different.

 

GAME 1

 

Monday night we played the Falcon 2 team as this was a rescheduled game that was cancelled due to weather.  The two teams each started the first period with a very quick tempo.  Hanover scored early in the period while Walkerton was short handed serving a penalty. Both teams were back and forth each testing the others goalie.  The Capitals evened up the score when Colby Schmidt sent a pass forward to a streaking Cobi Johnson whose wrist shot beat the Falcon goalie high stick side at 8:46.  The first period ended with the game knotted at 1.

 

The second period and the Capitals were again pressuring and were rewarded when a goal mouth scramble had Kyle Rompfh tuck the puck under the net-minder, assists were awarded to Cobi Johnson and Colby Schmidt at 1:30 into the game.  The two teams were back and forth several times and Walkerton hit the post twice and the crossbar once but nothing else ended up in the net. Walkerton lead 2-1 after the second period.

 

The third period and again each team tested the goaltender but they were up to the task. Hanover slid a puck past Teghan Kauk at 10:27 to tie the game up. Walkerton continued to fight and with just a minute remaining went on the power play.  Walkerton pressured firing several shots on net before a wrap around attempt had the puck and several players in the crease.  The puck was buried somewhere under the crowd but it got no closer to the goal line.  The game ended in a 2-2 tie.

 

Final Score

 

Walkerton Capitals          Hanover Falcons

2                                           2

 

GAME 2

 

Walkerton played the second place Falcon 1 team on Tuesday evening.  Those who came out to watch were treated to a great game that may have been the game of the year.

 

Hanover 1 and Walkerton started the season off back in October in what was a close game, this one would be no different.

 

The Hanover team came out of the gate with an extra step.  They were rewarded at 2:08 when a high wrist shot beat Teghan.  Hanover continued to pressure the Walkerton net and scored their second just 35 seconds later.  The two teams each were able to make several rushes but the two goalies stood tall in the nets.  At 7:03 Liam Osborne came in off the wing and fired a low wrist shot that handcuffed the Falcons net-minder and cut the lead in half.  Hanover led 2-1 after the first period.

 

The second period started and Walkerton had several good scoring opportunities early.  The passing that had become a staple in wins throughout the season was back and the team was using it to its full advantage.  Liam Osborne scored his second goal of the game at 4:51 after going stick side, to tie the score at 2.  As the second half of the period came Hanover took control of the game.  They scored at 8:47 and 9:29 respectfully to restore a 2 goal lead.

 

Walkerton started the third with a rush lead by defenseman, Cole Saunders who eluded a poke check at the blue line and fired a blistering wrist shot that hit the crossbar and dropped behind the Falcon net-minder just 30 seconds in the period.  Walkerton continued to pressure with shots from the point and in close but Hanover seemed content to dump the puck and use its speed.  At 7:03 Liam Osborne pushed a pass to Jack Walter whose shot squeaked through the goalies pads and just over the goal line, to again tie the game at 4.  The two teams each had a few rushes down the stretch. With just over 2 minutes remaining in the game Walkerton was assessed a minor penalty and the team was forced to kill the penalty.  The team stood tall and the defense only allowed 1 shot on net which was easily controlled into the corner.  The final buzzer sounded and the game ended in a 4-4 tie.

 

As the spectators were leaving several were overheard commenting that this was “a great game” “Best game of the year” and a “real nail biter”. Each player had contribute to the tie, the defense played hard in the corners and held the blue line when in the offensive zone, the forwards used their speed and strong passing game and the goaltending of Teghan Kauk who made some amazing saves throughout the game.  The resilience to come back twice from 2 goal difficulties to never give up, to play the game for a full 35 minutes.  The team should be proud of the way they played.

 

Final Score

 

Walkerton Capitals          Hanover Falcons

4                                            4