The
Flames of Penetanguishene have their work cut out for them.
With the support of each and every white sweater on the ice Saturday night, Logan White was unbeatable, turning away 31 shots as the Ingersoll Express Bantam Rep team shut out the visitors 4 to 0 in game one of the OMHA finals. A noisy, enthusiastic crowd, many fans sporting red Ingersoll hockey jerseys, turned out to cheer on the home team, and the Express did not disappoint. Ingersoll held an edge in play during an exciting opening period. Isaac Westlake set the tone early with a thundering body check 40 seconds after the initial puck drop. Good hustle by the line of Mick Donker, Parker Hodgson and Joel Verspeeten created several good scoring chances. Sy Hutcheson, alone in front of the Flames’ net, just failed to score as he attempted to redirect a nice pass from Christian Lee. Daniel Martineau had the crowd cheering and the bells clanging when he broke up a dangerous Penetang two on one. After a scoreless first period, the Ingersoll offence ramped it up in the second. With the Express exerting relentless pressure on the powerplay, Isaac Westlake was checked from behind and sent sprawling face first into the end boards. On the delayed penalty, before the Flames could regain possession of the puck, sniper Joel Verspeeten took a pass from Dayton Racicot and scored his first goal of the game. Minutes later, Nathan Graham carried the puck the length of the ice and flipped a shot on net. A surprised Flames’ goaltender juggled the puck but managed to hang on with three Express forwards lurking in the crease area. As play continued, Verspeeten and Hodgson worked a perfect give and go. The home town crowd went wild as number 19 threw his arms in the air celebrating his second goal of the period. The screaming fans were on their feet again fifteen seconds later when lucky number 13 Ben White made it 3-0 Ingersoll. Martineau and Westlake drew assists on Ingersoll’s third goal. The excitement continued with Ethan Emerson rushing end to end, Nathan Graham ringing one off the post, Parker Hodgson buzzing the net, Brennan Rupert delivering a solid hit and Logan White stoning the Flames on a clear break away. Fans and players had an opportunity to catch their breath as the ice was being flooded between periods. Things settled down in the third. Racicot and Christian Lee had good scoring chances. Ben Brown held his own on the blue line. Brennan Rupert scored a weird one from centre ice, which seemed to completely deflate the Flames. After the game, in a demonstration of class and good sportsmanship, team sponsor Louie’s Restaurant of Ingersoll treated both teams to a feast of scrumptious, delicious pizza. The series continues March 18th and 19th at the Penetang Memorial Community Centre. GO EXPRESS!!!!
Submitted by M. Martineu