As we move into the semi finals of the PJHL Pollock Division playoffs this year, two teams meet with very different approaches to the game, but both want a crack at possibly taking down the three time defending champs in Mount Forest.
The Wingham Ironmen have come up short twice now, losing to Mount Forest at the final gauntlet in heart breaking fashion. Meanwhile, the Kincardine Bulldogs want to grab back the title for the first time since 2015. Wingham have a speedy, up-temp and high scoring team that can load up the scoreboard, while the Bulldogs employ a hard hitting, suffocating defensive game. Both have solid special teams, and both want a shot at the belt, as it were. Kincardine got by Goderich in 5 games in round one, while Wingham swept away the Walkerton Hawks. How do they match up?
On offense, Wingham have few peers, finishing only behind the Patriots in total goals for (214 to 171), but that total could have been much higher if not for injury problems. Kyle Stanbury had an excellent year (53 points, 4 in the first round) and led the team in scoring. He has a very helpful cast with him, featuring set up wizard and former Goderich Flyer Chase Meurs (43 points, 1 in the first round), two-way genius Rhys Vollmer (43 points, 6 in the first round) and Logan Toltan (37 points, 2 in the first round). That lineup would be the envy of most teams in the league, but their depth is extremely strong and hard to contain. Corey Restoule, former Patriot Brady Becker and Justin Donnelly all had excellent scoring seasons, with Donnelly adding leadership and grit to a team that sorely lacked that at times in past playoff runs. Donnelly is the X-factor here. A long time proud captain of the now fledgling Walkerton Hawks, he wanted a chance to win in his final year and lands on a Wingham squad hell bent on revenge. He's so useful all over the ice, and can contribute on both special teams units. But it's Donnelly's fire and willingness to battle that will hopefully inspire team mates to get in the fight. That's the whole reason Wingham brought him on board, and there's no doubt he'll deliver the spark they need.
For the Bulldogs, the team scores by committee, a committee that was hurt by the departure of Jordan Caskenette, who left the team earlier this year to take a well deserved NCAA lacrosse scholarship. Caskenette only played 30 games and still finished third in team scoring (33 points). The Bulldogs are now led by veterans Mike Fiegehen (49 points, 11 in the first round) and Logan Frieburger (46 points, 8 in the first round), who are both extremely talented scorers and play excellent two-way hockey. But in terms of offense, things dry up much quicker in Kincardine than they do in Wingham. Kincardine doesn't have another point-per-game forward, with veteran Brett Burrows the next highest scorer (25 points, 3 in the first round). However, there is plenty of speed to burn here and a group that are willing to punish defenders physically. Former Listowel Cyclone Bruce McFadden had a strong year (25 points, 5 in the first round), and Jerrid Fossold (21 points, 6 in the first round) is capable of burying the biscuit with his great release. The biggest attribute this group has is they're quick and defensively sound. But can they outscore the Ironmen if games turn into track meets? Highly unlikely. Kincardine will want to slow the neutral zone down and play a greasy, low tempo game.
On defense, Wingham will be hurting, as veteran leader and superstar defender Carter Collinson will miss likely the entire round with a hand injury. Collinson was massive again this year (25 points) in limited action, but injuries have derailed his usually high flying totals, and he will be anxiously watching from the sidelines as his team mates battle Kincardine. Not to worry though, as Wingham still have some excellent blueliners who can carry the load. Dawson Fahrer had an awesome season (24 points, 4 in the first round), and there are few players in the league that can let go of a slap shot like Fahrer. He is their best remaining offensive option from the back end, as the rest of Wingham's core revolve around solid defensive guys who will have to mind the home front and be wary of the Bulldog's counter punch strategy. Chris Adlys and Evan Kuhl, a former Patriot, provide solid shutdown potential, and Dana Smith continues to be a go-to-guy for key defensive situations. Coleson Fischer and Jacob Bishop will get plenty of ice time, too, and will likely be relied upon on penalty kill duty. Even without Collinson, this core can be good enough to get the job done, as evidenced by their mark as the best defensive team in terms of goals allowed (just 107). They don't need to be fancy or try to replace Collinson, they just need to keep on doing what they've done all year; quick, simple transitions and no desperate pinches up the walls.
Kincardine will have a slight advantage here in terms of overall defensive quality. They can be absolutely air tight on their best nights, led by the superb Logan Swanton (32 points, 8 in the first round). Swanton is elite at the stick check, and is physically sound as well, but his transition play is what makes him very effective. He's a fluid skater, and is well disciplined, taking just 30 penalty minues all while playing top end minutes against the opponent's best every night. He is the anchor for Kincardine. The supporting cast is pretty darn good, too, with former Listowel Cyclone Danny Skinner (15 points, 0 points in 1 game in the first round) providing excellent breakouts and quick feet, and he also brings plenty of championship caliber experience from a lot of winning in Listowel. Carson English had a great year defensively, amassing just 8 penalty minutes while playing with high energy, and Brett Angel and Kent Ribey can play shutdown hockey with the best of them. The question is, can this group do enough through a best-of-seven series to at least mitigate the high powered Ironmen? That is what this series hinges on.
In goal, Wingham dealt former star Jamie Brock to the Bulldogs last summer to make room for another star in their two-headed goalie monster. Devon Carson returned to take the bulk of the starts, and was once again the man in the crease for the Ironmen, going 16-6-2 with 2 shutouts, a 2.23 GAA and stellar .922 save percentage. He's as good a starter as you'll find, and his big frame and awesome reflexes are hard to solve any night. Garrett Golley made a significant mark in the paint, too, going 9-6 with 1 shutout, a 2.76 GAA and .902 save percentage. Golley is a great young find and will get more work next year, and if the Ironmen turn to him, he's proven very capable. He also has the best mask in the league, check it out if you haven't seen it. Carson started all 4 games against Walkerton, with Golley getting some brief minutes in the final game. Carson went 4-0 with a dazzling 2.22 GAA and .920 save percentage. He's ready for more.
Goaltending is pretty much a dead heat here, but Kincardine may benefit from a more veteran duo over the younger Ironmen group. Jamie Brock was a big addition in the summer from Wingham, and he provided solid net minding in 18 starts, going 11-6 with 2 shutouts, a 2.71 GAA and a .908 save percentage. He's big, mobile and can handle the puck, and he has an excellent glove hand that he hopes can stymie his former team. The Bulldogs could also lean on Sean Andrus, who made 26 appearances going 13-12 with 1 shutout, a 2.74 GAA and a .914 save percentage. The Bulldogs goalies don't see that many shots, but if they do Andrus can handle the load with his quick pads and great positioning. Andrus and Brock split the starts against Goderich, both winning 2 games as Andrus got the extra start. Brock was 2-0 with a 2.00GAA and .942 save percentage, while Andrus was 2-1 with a 1.68 GAA and .952 save percentage against the Flyers.
Special teams are a bit of a mismatch, as Wingham set the bar for power play efficiency this year topping the division at 26.8 percent, while the Bulldogs were middle of the pack at 17.5. Wingham's penalty kill was second at 87.9 trailing only Mount Forest, while the Bulldogs were right behind in third at 82.1. Kincardine need to find a way to make the power play click more against a pretty disciplined Ironmen team, and though the Bulldogs are very capable penalty killers, they don't want to test that too often against Wingham's power play.
This series features two teams who have very different strengths, as Wingham will pit their high flying offense against the stout defensive structure of the Bulldogs. This series could go the distance, but I think Wingham just has that extra bit of scoring depth that could outmatch the Bulldogs. I'll say Wingham in 6, but I'm also confident we could see this go 7. Either way, the action will be great, and I hope you enjoy the games!
For more on the series, listen to Wingham Ironmen Head Coach Cory Hamilton, and Kincardine Bulldogs Head Coach Todd Norman below:
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