Carmeuse Lime Ltd hosted the Strathroy Jr Rockets last
Tuesday night at the Ingersoll District Memorial Centre. Just seven nights
prior, these teams played to an exciting 2-2 finish at the Gemini Sports
Complex, making this game an anticipated rematch. During the January 30 game, Carmeuse
net-minder #30 Ryan Calder was flawless in net, but on this night, it was
obvious to the coaching staff, fans and players something was wrong. Net-minder
#1 Carson Rachar would get the call as the last two minutes of the period
counted down; the score 2-0 Strathroy.
As the period drew to a close, Calder was escorted to the dressing room by team personnel. It was later learned he was suffering from flu-like symptoms.
Rachar stood tall in his crease allowing only one Strathroy goal at 11:03 of the second period. The Carmeuse offense registered its first for the game at 7:45, when #9 Ryan Cooper, assisted by #2 Jesse Carew, found an opening around the Strathroy net-minder.
Strathroy would gain a comfortable three goal lead with an unassisted goal at 10:19 of the third period. The Carmeuse offense found new inspiration at 5:09, when #18 Jason Arts, assisted by #20 Devin Freeman and #5 Riley Jayne, trimmed the goal gap to two. At 2:03, Freeman, assisted by #12 Duncan Chevrier and #16 Tanner Moon, further trimmed the gap to one. Despite Carmeuse giving an inspired and rejuvenated offensive effort, there just wasn’t time and the score remained unchanged; the game would end 4-3 in favour of Strathroy.
Despite the less than idea driving conditions, Carmeuse Lime Ltd made their way to Ilderton on Thursday night, where they hoped to claim a win on this, their second last regular season game.
Carmeuse played their patient focus style of play, backed by the exciting net-minding of Rachar, who allowed Ilderton only one goal in the first period and not a one in the second. As the final minute of the second period counted down, it looked like the score would remain 1-0 for Ilderton; that is until .48 when Freeman, assisted by Chevrier, started the game as they had finished the game only two nights prior, registering offense.
The patient focus shown by Carmeuse throughout the first two periods paid a dividend in the third, with two goals within one minute; at 10:25, #14 Chris Dimmers, assisted by #17 Christian Johnston and #2 Jesse Carew and then at 10:07, #16 Tanner Moon, assisted by #10 Aaron Lonsberry and Freeman made the score 3-1. Just a little over two minutes later, at 8:13, Chevrier, assisted by T. Moon and #19 Dawson Kays, registered Carmeuse’s fourth and final goal for the night. Ilderton would respond a minute later with one, making the score 4-2, which is where it remained as the final buzzer sounded.
Carmeuse will end the regular season Tuesday night when they host the Dorchester Dragons at the Ingersoll District Memorial Centre. Game time is 9:30; good tickets still available.