The R. McNiven and Sons Ingersoll Express Atom Rep team began their quest for the league playoff championship on Thursday, February 21, facing off against the team from Hagersville. In addition to Hagersville, the team will host Twin Centre, Plattsville, Caledonia and Delhi, and travel to Tavistock.
The game against Hagersville started off on the right for for Ingersoll quickly, with a nice point shot by Ethan Emerson finding the back of the net, and putting Ingersoll up 1-0. Hagersville wasn't going to let Ingersoll get away with the game that easily, and a short time later they were able to put one past Ingersoll goalie Logan White and tie the game up at 1-1. The score remained 1-1 after 1.
The second period saw Ingersoll continue to pressure Hagersville, putting more pucks to the net. Brennan Rupert was camped out in front of the net and was able to bang away a loose puck, putting Ingersoll back in front 2-1. However, a few minutes later Hagersville was able to knot the score back up at 2-2. Ingersoll kept pressure, but Hagersville did not want to roll over just yet. Nearing the end of the second period, Daniel Martineau put a shot on net from the right side face-off dot which got past the Hagersville netminder and gave Ingersoll the 3-2 lead going in to the third.
Brennan Rupert celebrates after scoring the go ahead goal in the second
The third period saw continued pressure by Ingersoll, as well as great defensive work helping out White and keeping shots away from the Ingersoll net. As the time wound down, it looked like Ingersoll would hold on for the 3-2 win, but with less than 4 minutes left Hagersville was able to net the equalizer on a nifty tic-tac-toe passing play that White had no chance on. In the last couple minutes Ingersoll continued to try and get that go ahead goal, but just couldn't solve the Hagersville keeper any more times. Final score 3-3.
Ingersoll next takes the ice for a home game hosting Twin Centre on Thursday, February 28 at 7 pm.
Daniel Martineau lets a shot go from the right wing.....
....and finds the back of the net, putting Ingersoll ahead 3-2