Written by Coach Dave: Game 2 on Friday night was in intense puck battle that resulted in a one goal loss to Kincardine Kinucks. Strong play and solid goaltending at both ends of the ice kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout the game.
The first period nearly went scoreless until Kinucks #8 Andrew Leschied made an outside/inside loop around the Storm defense and went top shelf on Storm netminder #19 Olivier Caudle with 1:49 remaining in the period. Not to be outdone, Storm defenseman #17 Ben Walker lived up to his name by walking the puck in and threading the needle with a bullet through traffic at 1:19.
The second period put Storm's penalty killers to work. Three minors were taken but no goals were allowed. Storm got their chance late in the second on a power play with 2:10 remaining. Good puck control put some great shots on net but the Kinucks goaltender closed the door.
The intensity grew in the third with the game still tied at 1-1. Both teams battled hard as the clock ticked down but solid goaltending by Storm's #30 Bryce Ribey kept the game even. At 5:59 left in the third Kinucks #5 Braeden Morgan slipped a puck through traffic and past a screened Ribey to take the lead for the Kinucks. Storm came back hard and put the puck to the net over and over again in the last 5 minutes but couldn't bury it. Storm tried to even the score with a last minute 6 on 5 but still couldn't push the game to overtime.
Kinucks win means they lead 3 points to 1 in a first to 4 point series. Next game is in Kincardine on Sunday, 17 Jan 10.