This past weekend in Strathroy, Ontario, the R.McNiven & Sons Insurance Atom Rep team participated in the annual Strathroy Olympic Rep Tournament.
The team faced off early Friday morning against a buzzing team from Sarnia. The team dominated from the drop of the puck and controlled much of the play containing Sarnia to few scoring chances and a 0 on the scoreboard. The Express tallied 4 times in this matchup with goals from Jacob Branderhorst, Justin Holmes, Ethan Stevens, and Eric Savoie.. Riley Ellis picked up the lone assist. Savoie received player of the game honors.
In game #2 of round robin action on Friday night, the Express faced the Tillsonburg Tornadoes. The Tornadoes got on the scoreboard first. Ingersoll keeper Noah Robinson was a ‘wall’ for the Express keeping his team close to the Tornadoes on the scoreboard. The score after two periods favored the Tornadoes 3-0. The Express with some good scoring chances couldn’t muster much luck. It was not until late in the 3rd period that the Express finally hit the twines. Stevens and Savoie popped in a goal each with assists going to Adam Csucs, and Holmes. Tillsonburg added 2 more by the end of the game, finishing the Express off with a 5-2 win. Sommer Lednicky received player of the game honors with some good defensive play.
Game #3 action on Saturday, had the Express competing against an undefeated team from Petrolia. The ‘ Express train’ was not phased by this and held a 3-0 advantage at one point. Petrolia slowly picked away at the lead and came within one by the end of the 2nd period. A very defensive 3rd period held each team scoreless, ending the game in favor of the Express 3-2 and handing Petrolia there first loss of the year. Goals in this game came from Lednicky, Clayton Hammond, and Savoie. Helpers went to Keegan Clark(2), Mathew Berzins, and Hammond. Goaltender Noah Robinson was given player of the game honors.
On Sunday morning, a win for the Express against the Strathroy Rockets would guarantee them a spot in the Gold Medal match. A stubborn Strathroy team, with some good defensive play and a little luck throughout much of the game kept the Express to a chugging halt. It was not until the 2:24 mark of the 3rd period that Ethan Stevens to the left of the goalie, shorthanded, went high glove side, bulging the mesh, and giving the Express 1-0 win. Keeper Jayden Purdy picked up the shutout in the win.
The Gold Medal match was a chance of redemption for the Express who had to face the Tillsonburg Tornadoes who cruzed to the finals with a 4-0 record. The first period came and went and some new tactics for the Express in matching up with the Tornadoes held them scoreless. Finally, at the 9:08 mark of the 2nd period, Keegan Clark scored with assists from Hammond, and Berzins putting the Express up 1-0. Tillsonburg eventually responded back on a power play goal tieing the game at one apiece after two periods. In the 3rd, a bouncing puck to the Tillsonburg net lead to a generous rebound and Branderhorst was there to put it away. Ingersoll 2-Tillsonburg 1. Stevens picked up an assist on the play. A very strong defensive ‘team’ effort and stellar goaltending was displayed by the Express, and it carried them thru much of the game. Unfortunately, winning with only a little over 2 minutes to play, a ‘twist of fate’ in a matter of 15 seconds found the Express down 3-2. The time wound down and the Tornadoes captured the Gold handing the Express a Silver Medal. It was a great game and it showed how this team can compete with the best. Keep the train roll’in guys and gal!! The R.McNiven & Sons Insurance Atoms’ next game is November 18th in Norwich. Come on out and cheer them on!!