The
Louie’s Pizza and Pasta Bantam Rep team have the Simcoe Warriors “on the ropes”
after back to back victories in their OMHA quarterfinal series this week.
The Express skated to a 5-2 win in game one, thanks in large part to a three goal performance by Joel Verspeeten. Ingersoll held an edge in play for much of the game. When the Warriors were able apply pressure in the offensive zone, Logan White was there to keep the rubber out of the net. Parker Hodgson had a pair of goals on the night, the first a nifty backhander, and the second an exciting penalty shot thriller. As usual, Isaac Westlake, Brennen Rupert, “Big Sy” Hutcheson and Ethan Emerson did their best to make life miserable for the opposition with tough, physical play. In game two, Emerson opened the scoring with a beautiful shot from the point, threading the needle stick side. Ingersoll came close to making it 2-0 when Dayton Racicot outhustled the Simcoe defenders, creating a loose puck behind the net and relaying a pass to line mate Joel Verspeeten who had two good wacks at it before the Warriors goaltender was able to freeze the puck. With 3 minutes remaining in the first, Logan White came up with a glorious save, flashing the leather and robbing a Simcoe forward who was in all alone on a clear breakaway. As play resumed in the middle frame, Parker Hodgson was on the receiving end of a heavy hit mid ice. The Simcoe player was sent to the box for interference, and just as the penalty expired, vengeance was served as Hodgson tipped a Ben White shot into the Simcoe net. Minutes later the Warriors potted a tip in goal of their own, cutting the Ingersoll lead in half. As the Warriors pressed, Daniel Martineau took what could be termed a “good” penalty, preventing Simcoe from scoring the equalizer as he tied up the Simcoe forward who was streaking toward the Ingersoll net. Calm, consistent, reliable play by defenseman Nathan Graham helped the Express carry a one goal lead into the third period. With Brennan Rupert serving two minutes for cross checking, the Warriors were able to tie the game, forcing sudden death overtime. As things got rolling in the extra frame, Isaac Westlake was jolted by a stiff body check and sent sprawling to the ice. With 6 minutes remaining in overtime Mick Donker slid a pass to Parker Hodgson in the corner, Hodgson was knocked off balance as he struggled to carry the puck to the front of the Simcoe net, and a Warriors defenseman inadvertently redirected the puck in behind his own goaltender, giving the Express a 3-2 win and a 2-0 lead in the series. The quarterfinal match up continues Thursday February 16 at the Talbot Gardens Arena in Simcoe.