Mar 20, 2014 | JRupert | 864 views
Express survive to SCMHA Finals!!
The Glenda Ponsonby Ingersoll/Oxford Realty Ingersoll Express Peewee Rep team travelled to St. George on Wednesday night to take on a newly minted nemesis in the St. George Generals. The game turned out to be one of the more exciting games of the year, and definitely the most exciting game of the league playoffs for the boys this spring.
The game started off tentatively, with both teams feeling each other out. This was the third game between the two teams in a seven day stretch, and it was evident that the teams had found a shred of respect for the abilities of their opponents and what players liked to do what. Ingersoll had a number of good chances in the first period, but were unable to capitalize. After letting the teams play for a few minutes, the referees began a parade to the penalty box for both teams, which seemed to disrupt any momentum that was being built by either side.
After a scoreless first period, Ingersoll got off to a rough start in the second, when St. George was able to net two goals before it was half done, including a powerplay goal, and taking a strong 2-0 lead. Clayton Hammond seemed to choose to shoulder much of the responsibility for the team on this night though, and at the 2:23 mark while buzzing around the net he got hold of a Tanner Gray rebound and found the back of the net, putting Ingersoll within one. On the ensuing faceoff Ingersoll again attacked the St. George zone, with Hammond driving the left wing board. After being checked and while falling Hammond was able to keep control of the puck and feed it to a streaking Parker Hodgson in the slot, who got hold of it and just like that, in a span of 19 seconds Ingersoll had tied the game back up.
St. George retook the lead early in the third period on a breakaway, but then midway through the period it was time for Hammond to try to pump some spirit back into his team, and he batted the puck past the St. George netminder to make it a tie game 3-3. The period ended that way, and it was on to overtime.
The first 10 minutes of overtime passed with the teams trading chances, but not being able to beat the other team's goalie. It was then on to a second overtime period, which mirrored the first, with the teams going back and forth at each other and both goalies standing tall. But then, with just 18.8 seconds left to play on the clock, Gray let another of his rifle shot from the point go, which the goalie could not control. The rebound lay on the ice for a split second before a buzzing Hammond and Hodgson pair around the net jumped at it, with Hodgson being the one to make contact and put the puck across the line, giving Ingersoll the 4-3 victory and ensuring the team will play for the Southern Counties championship later in the month.
Great game fellas, from start to finish. The team now waits for the winner of the Caledonia-Plattsville semifinal to see who they will be playing for all the marbles.
Once the game and venue are confirmed, let's see what kind of support we can give these boys. Face paint, noise makers, and now Ingersoll Express temporary tattoos are all something that we can do to show our spirit for the team as they go for that final piece of the season puzzle.
Let's go Express!!