Kincardine, Huron-Bruce teams compete in Kincardine Silver Stick tournament

Novice, Peewee and Bantam teams from Kincardine and Huron-Bruce (Ripley and Lucknow) are among more than 45 teams at the 32^nd annual Kincardine Silver Stick Regional hockey tournament which began Thursday and continues through Sunday.

Bantam teams are playing at the Davidson Centre in Kincardine, while the Peewees are in Tiverton and the Novices are in Ripley. There are six divisions in play, including "B" and "C" levels for Bantam, Peewee and Novice.

The opening ceremonies were held Thursday night at the Davidson Centre, just prior to the Bantam game between the Kincardine Kinucks and the Tavistock Titans. The opening and the game were delayed about 40 minutes after a fire alarm was set off.

At 7 p.m., the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band led the dignitaries to the ice surface, including Kincardine mayor Anne Eadie, Aera Armstrong who sang “O Canada,” and tournament director Tia Trudeau.

Eadie welcomed everyone to the Silver Stick tournament and thanked Trudeau and the many volunteers who help make this event possible every year.

“We see this annual tournament as a wonderful way to celebrate the sport of hockey and sportsmanship that we are so fortunate to have here in the municipality,” she said. “Good luck to you all. Do your best and play fair!”

Trudeau welcomed all the participants, team officials, parents and hockey fans. She also thanked the volunteers, especially the organizing committee, and the many sponsors of this year's tournament. “Embrace the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie that are at the core of the Silver Stick, and enjoy this great game of hockey!”

Eadie then did the ceremonial puck-drop and the Bantam game was under way. The Kinucks downed Tavistock, 4-2. They also downed Twin Centre, 4-1, and are well on their way to the International Silver Stick.

The Huron-Bruce Bantams lost, 3-2, to Wingham, and lost 7-1 to South Bruce, but Friday night, they tied West Grey, 3-3.

In Peewee action, Kincardine lost to Mitchell, 5-2, and to Listowel, 5-2, but downed Tavistock, 7-3. Meanwhile, Huron-Bruce had two wins, 7-1 over TCFMHA, and 3-0 over Blyth-Brussels.

In Novice action, Kincardine has notched two wins, 4-0 against Saugeen Shores, and 6-0 over Shelburne. Huron-Bruce had two losses, 6-2 against TCDMHA, and 7-2 against South Bruce.

Play continues Saturday, with quarter-finals and semi-finals later in the day, and the championships in Kincardine, Sunday, beginning with the Novice “C” division at 9 a.m.

Winners of the Kincardine regional advance to the International Silver Stick finals, with Novice “B” and “C” in Pelham, Jan. 10-13, 2019; Peewee “B” and “C” in Forest, Jan. 11-13 2019; and the Bantam “B” and “C” in Forest, Jan. 25-27, 2019.

For more information about the Kincardine Silver Stick, and for the schedule and final scores, check the website at: silverstick.org/Tournaments/6787/Schedule/