The weekend of October 12-14, the R. McNiven & Sons Insurance Ingersoll Express Atom Rep team took to the ice in Caledonia and throughout Haldimand County as they competed in the 2012 Challenge Cup Tournament. The weekend was expected to be a busy one, with a possibility of three games Saturday, as well as one on Friday and possibly one on Sunday. And the boys made sure that their parents got their money's worth for the weekend.
The tournament started with a part day off school (full day for some lucky ones) on Friday, as the team had to play the Glanbrook Rangers at 9:30 am. Glanbrook has proven to be somewhat of a nemesis for a bunch of these boys over their short hockey careers, and Friday proved to be more of the same. The game started off with both teams evenly matched. They went back and forth for the first half of the game, with neither goalie giving an inch, until Ingersoll's Brennan Rupert was able to sneak one by the Glanbrook netminder halfway through the second period. Going into the third Ingersoll held on to a slim 1-0 lead, but that was short lived as Glanbrook was able to net the tying goal less than a minute into the frame. The teams continued to battle a tight race, with both teams having a bunch of chances to score, but neither unable to break the tie until Glanbrook was able to get one past Ingersoll's Logan White with just 3:36 left to play. This however was not the straw that broke the camel's back, and rather than roll over and quit the Ingersoll boys continued to fight, but unfortunately came out on the short end of the stick. Glanbrook took that first game 2-1. Ingersoll's lone assist went to Nolan Adkins.
Saturday was the busy day for Ingersoll, with games scheduled for 9:00 am and 2:00 pm, as well as (hopefully) the semi-final game at either 6:45 or 8:00 pm depending on finish. 9:30 saw the team in Hagersville to take on the Owen Sound Jr. Attack. Ingersoll came out flying, ready to play, and quickly started putting the puck at the Owen Sound goalie. In the first period Ingersoll had 9 shots on net, scoring two with goals by Brennan Rupert and Nathan Bailey. The Ingersoll defence proved strong once again, limiting the Owen Sound team to just 4 shots on their net. The score remained 2-0 halfway into the third period, before Owen Sound was able to solve Logan White and pot one of their own. Ingersoll's defence then knew that it was time to shut the door, and didn't allow Owen Sound another chance on net for the remainder of the period. With 4 seconds left, Parker Hodgson slipped the puck into the net to ice the 3-1 win for Ingersoll. Assists on the goals went to Cole Ellis, Josh Clark, Hodgson and Rupert.
After a bit of a break and some nourishment, the team returned to Caledonia to face the Niagara-on-the-Lake Wolves for the 2 pm game, the final of the round robin. With a tie the Ingersoll team would assure themselves of a spot in the semifinals, and a chance to continue their run to the Challenge Cup. After a feeling out time for the first half of the opening period, Ingersoll was able to net one past the NOTL keeper on a nice shot by Cole Ellis. The lead didn't last long though, with the Wolves tying the game up just 41 seconds later. The teams went into the second tied at 1-1. Then, just 45 seconds into the second frame, NOTL put another past Logan White, putting the team up 2-1. This was the first time that the Express had been behind on Saturday, and the boys didn't seem to like it one bit. Parker Hodgson decided that he needed to get the team back in line with the Wolves, and a couple minutes later tied the score back up at 2-2, giving Ingersoll a lot of time to work with for a win rather than have to play catch-up. Over the next 10 minutes of hockey, the Express rolled on through the Wolves, putting 3 more goals on the board from Josh Clark, Hodgson and Brennan Rupert. With just over a minute to play, NOTL was able to put another one past White, but it was too little, too late. Ingersoll skated away with the 5-3 victory, and a guaranteed spot in the semi-finals. Assists in the game went to Hodgson (2), Nolan Adkins and Symon Hutcheson.
A long layoff now between this game and the anticipated semifinal match. Once the points had been tabulated, Ingersoll was placed in 2nd overall, and would have to face the 3rd place overall team - Glanbrook!! It would be safe to say that everyone was expecting this to be a tight fought, close match with the winner being decided on one of those flukey goals that you see when two evenly matched teams are playing together so well. Were we wrong!?! Instead of that happening, Ingersoll took Glanbrook to the woodshed, scoring four in the first (including goals on their first three shots on net), two in the second, and four more in the third. Totally unexpectedly Glanbrook came out flat, and paid for it. Final score - Ingersoll 10 Glanbrook 2. Ingersoll goals were scored by Nolan Adkins, Josh Clark, Cole Ellis (2), Parker Hodgson (4), and Brennan Rupert (2). Assists to Rupert (2), Ellis, Nathan Graham, Daytn Racicot, and Symon Hutcheson. After this strong victory, the boys were set for the finals, facing off after a good nights sleep on Sunday afternoon against Owen Sound.
Coach Chris talks strategy during a third period timeout
Sunday's game with Owen Sound was again expected to be one of those close, nail biter games. The teams had played the close game on Saturday with the Attack and were anticipating more of the same for this game on Sunday. Although the Express were riding their high from the big win against Glanbrook, Owen Sound was on their own high following a lopsided victory over tournament host Caledonia in the other semi-final match. Ingersoll again came out flying, putting the first goal of the game up on the board with another nifty little attack by Parker Hodgson. Ingersoll held the lead for the remainder of the first, but lost it early in the the second period, with Owen Sound tying it up 3:47 in. Ingersoll kept up the pressure though, and with 2:32 left on the clock Cole Ellis put Ingersoll back in the drivers seat. Onto the third period, with parents and fans chewing their nails and willing the boys to victory. Just a couple minutes in on a nice shot by Ethan Emerson, a deflection by Josh Clark in front of the net put the Express up 3-1 and gave some breathing room. But it didn't last long, and Owen Sound was able to solve Logan White just a minute and a half later, putting everyone back on the edge of their seat. From that point on though, Ingersoll knew again what had to be done. They seemed to get a little excited and scrambly, but they all still played their positions well and made sure to take care of their checks. Owen Sound pulled their goalie late in the period to try for the equalizer, but it wasn't meant to be - this was the Ingersoll Express' weekend. Final score - Owen Sound 2 Ingersoll Express (Challenge Cup Champions!!) 3. Assists in this game went to Ethan Emerson (2) and Hodgson.
The boys celebrate a 3-2 finals win
Congratulations to all the boys from all your parents and fans. You guys played great and showed everyone a great weekend of hockey.
Ingersoll next sees action on Wednesday, October 17 when they travel to Port Dover.