The Walkerton Capitals would play host to the visiting Kincardine
Kinucks Scotia Bank 2 on December 19th, 2023. This game would be the last game before the
boys would go on their Christmas break so they were hoping to make the most of the
opportunity.
Walkerton would come out quickly and would be rewarded just
over a minute and a half into the first period when Kyle Graul buried a hard
wrist shot after jumping on a juicy rebound.
The assist on the goal was awarded to Luka Abell. The two teams would battle back and forth as
the period continued but there would be no additional scoring and Walkerton
would lead 1-0 after the first fifteen minutes.
The Capitals would come out quickly in the second and would
pepper the Kincardine net early but were unable to beat the goalie. Walkerton would solve that problem when a high
wrist shot from Travis Goll handcuffed the netminder and the puck went up and
over and into the back of the net. Kyle
Graul would get the assist on the play.
Walkerton would continue to use a strong passing game and again would be
rewarded with just over a minute and a half remaining when Travis Goll got his
second of the game after taking a cross ice pass and firing a wrist shot that
beat a diving Kincardine netminder.
Curtis Rowe and Keegan Batte would pick up assists on this goal. The Capitals held a 3-0 lead after two periods
in the books.
There would be no let up in the Capitals game as the third
period continued. Midway into the period
the Capitals would be rewarded when Luka Abell fired a hard shot from the top
of the faceoff circle that beat the Kincardine netminder low stick side. Assisting on the play was Kyle Graul. The scoring would continue when Connor Farrell’s
backhand shot found the back of the net after taking a pass from Keegan
Batte.
Walkerton would play a strong game and again be rewarded for
its play. Goaltender, Owen Waddell would
pick up another victory with strong rebound control thus limiting second
chances by the Kincardine players. The
defensive core worked hard along the boards and behind its own net where they
controlled the tempo on breakouts from its own end. The forwards cycled the puck well and its
passing game was precise with strong, crisp and accurate play. The boys entered the holiday break sitting
alone at the top of the North Division standings. A little time off before their next game, a chance
to rest some injuries and get everyone back before the final push to the
playoffs.
WALKERTON CAPITALS - 5
KINCARDINE KINUCKS 2 - 0