This year’s International Silver Stick Atom B
final between your Ingersoll Brokerlink Atom team and the Lambeth Lancers was
one for the ages. The game featured two excellent hockey teams that play a similar
style. Ingersoll had won 48 consecutive games heading into this game. The last
team to defeat the Brokerlink Boys was this Lambeth club back in September in the
finals of the Ingersoll tournament. Additionally, Ingersoll defeated Lambeth in
the finals of the Regional Silver Stick tournament last month by a score of
9-2. Lambeth was invited to this tournament as a team from the U.S. declined
their invitation. The Lancers and Ingersoll were both undefeated in this
tournament going into the final.
A large loud and proud Ingersoll contingent welcomed the players to the ice as the announcer introduced each player and the coaching staff. Ingersoll had extra supporters in the stands as the Bantam rep team had qualified for their finals directly after this game. There was electricity in the air as the two teams warmed up in anticipation of a great game to come.
Carter Spence received the start in goal for Ingersoll. Two and a half minutes into the contest, Lambeth opened the scoring when a shot deflected of an Ingersoll defenders stick and into the top corner. No chance for Spence on this one. Cohen Belore had a breakaway opportunity stymied the next shift, but the Lambeth goalie won the showdown. Two minutes later, another Lambeth shot was deflected past Spence, this time off an Ingersoll defender’s body. Again, there was not much of a chance for Spence to make the save. With three and a half minutes to play in the opening period, Lambeth scored their third on a breakaway for a 3-0 lead over Ingersoll. Jeremy Hardeman replaced Spence after the goal in an attempt to spark the team.
Hardeman was brilliant in the second as Lambeth continued to get pucks to the net. The Brokerlink Boys would not give up with their win streak and the championship on the line. With four minutes left in the middle period, Hardeman made two great saves, but the puck landed on the stick of a Lambeth player for an easy tap in to put the Ingersoll squad down by four. Owen Longlade thought he had scored with just over a minute left in the period, but the referee argued that the whistle had been blown before the puck crossed the line. With thirty-four seconds left in the period, Gavin Bryant scored on a wraparound assisted by House and Schuett to lift the Ingersoll bench.
Down but not out, the Ingersoll boys came out for the third flying in an attempt to get back into this game. Thirty seconds into the final period, Alex Schuett fired a shot off the crossbar. At the eight minute mark, Bryant attempted another wraparound but was denied. The puck landed on the stick of House who whipped a back hand shot into the gaping cage. The Brokerlink Boys had the momentum now and continued to dominate the offensive zone. The Lambeth goalie was excellent in this game as the boys from Ingersoll outshot Lambeth by a huge margin. With just under six minutes to play, Kaleb Kloepfer fired a shot from the point that produced big rebound. House pounced on the puck and fired it into the Lambeth goal. Schuett also assisted on the goal. Now 4-3, Ingersoll threw everything they could at the Lambeth goal but could not score the equalizer. The Lambeth tender was spectacular in this game.
Congratulations to the Lambeth Lancers on their victory and for an excellent game. This was by far the most exciting game this season despite the loss for Ingersoll. Congratulations to our Ingersoll Brokerlink boys for an incredible comeback attempt. Ingersoll outshot Lambeth 19-2 in the third period. The 48 game win streak ended with this loss to Lambeth, but the Ingersoll team will be determined to start another as the playoffs and Southern County Playdowns continue for the team. Ingersoll is still awaiting the winner of the Paris-Simcoe series for its next opponent in Southern County play. The Brokerlink Boys host the Burford Coyotes tonight at the Memorial Centre. Puck drops at 7 pm.