After fighting hard to extend their season in Game 5 on Wednesday, the Hamilton Kilty B’s just had nothing left in the tank for Game 6, going down 1-0 to the St. Catharines Falcons on Friday night at home.
It was early in the first period when this one was ultimately decided. Falcons forward Sam Williamson threw the puck on net from a bad angle below the goal line, the puck hitting a discarded stick laying on the ice in front of the net. It took a lucky bounce off the stick to Nicholas Rubino, who slammed the puck into the net for his fifth of the playoffs, making it 1-0 just 3:39 into the game.
From then on it was a battle of the goaltenders, with both Braedyn McIntosh and Andrew MacLean standing on their heads for Hamilton and St. Catharines respectively. There was an obvious strategy by both teams to crash the net – both goalies were run into multiple times – but nothing except a bad bounce fazed either of them all night.
It’s a disappointing end for the Kilty B’s, especially since their high-powered offence was stifled so often by MacLean this series. The recipient of the Governors Trophy as Golden Horseshoe Conference Playoff MVP had a .927 save percentage – shutting out Hamilton twice in the six-game series – and was undeniably the most impactful player on the ice at all times.
After beginning the round with a rough patch, McIntosh rebounded exceptionally in the latter games, only allowing five goals in the last three. In almost any game Hamilton has played this year, holding the opposing team to three or less would typically mean a win, but with MacLean in the other net and with a stout defence in front of him to boot, McIntosh wasn’t able to get the scoring support when it mattered the most.
With the game ultimately decided by a lucky bounce, the loss will be even more painful for the Kilty B’s. They played a good game, even fixing some of the discipline problems they had experienced throughout the playoffs. Having topped the league in the regular season there is a lot to be proud of for the Kilty B’s this season, but also an inevitable feeling that more could have been accomplished.
As the saying goes:
There’s always next year.
Notes:
- Changing it up from the typical game notes, I thought it would be appropriate to put a note of thanks here for everyone who has followed along this year. It’s been a great season, and this team has felt your support spur them on throughout the (many) ups and (few) downs. Thank you!
