The Walkerton Capitals would host the Blyth-Brussels
Crusaders for Game 2 of the WOAA championship on March 25, 2024. The Walkerton arena was full of loud and
cheering supporters as the two teams hit the ice. A win and the Capitals would be 2024 champs
but a loss would send the two teams back to Blyth for Game 3.
It would be the Crusaders who would come out quickly and
test the Walkerton goaltender several times early in the period. Blyth would open the scoring with five minutes
remaining in the first period after a goalmouth scramble. The Capitals would respond quickly when just
twenty-five seconds later Jasper Rowe found a loose puck and fired it into the
back of the Blyth net. The assists on
the goal were awarded to Keegan Batte and Luka Abell. The end of the first period would see the
score knotted at a single goal a piece.
Blyth-Brussels would start the second period by once again
coming out quickly and were rewarded just twenty-six seconds later with a
goal. Walkerton would respond quickly
again when less than a minute later Kyle Graul fired a hard wrist shot from the
high slot that Chase Kaufman was able to tip into the net while on the
powerplay. Walkerton would add another
powerplay goal when a shot from the blueline missed the net but came off the
backboards and onto the stick of Travis Goll who wasted no time in finding the
back of the net. Luka Abell would get credit
for the assist. The scoring would
continue when a slap shot from Marshall Odell beat the Crusaders netminder while
on a two man advantage. Duncan Abell
would pick up the assist. Walkerton
would then add to its lead again when they scored on a two man advantage. Spencer Odell would complete a nice passing
play with a shot that beat the goalie stick side. Chase Kaufman and Luka Abell would get the
assists on the goal. Walkerton would hold
a 5-2 lead at the end of the second period.
The third period and things would take a bit of a nasty turn
as two Crusaders players would find themselves thrown out the game with
misconducts. With two and a half minutes
remaining in the period Luka Abell would score on a slap shot from just inside
the blueline. The assists on the play
were awarded to Jasper Rowe and Marshall Odell.
As the seconds ticked away the cheers and applauds from the crowd grew louder
almost drowning out the final buzzer.
The boys would celebrate on the ice before being presented with their medals. The boys continued to celebrate on the ice
amongst themselves, family members and friends.
A fantastic end to a great year! The boys played smart hockey right from Game
1 and the memories of the season will be something that they will probably
treasure for years to come. The final
word must be to the coaching staff for their commitment to the team and all
their hard work. Head Coach Nick Abell,
Assistant Coaches Adam Batte and Kevin Waddell and Trainers Brad Graul and Gord
Schmidt and to Team Manager, Carrie Goll a huge thank you to each and everyone
of you. A huge shout out to the parents and family members who cheered on the boys,
game after game.
WALKERTON CAPITALS -
6
BLYTH-BRUSSELS CRUSADERS -
2