Carmeuse Evens O.M.H.A. Score on the Shores of Georgian Bay
Carmeuse Lime Ltd was at Collingwood’s Eddie Bush Arena yesterday,
focused on making the O.M.H.A. score even with the Collingwood Black Hawks. As the teams prepared to line-up at centre
ice, the voice of a Black Hawk fan bellowed, “Beat them like you did last time,
Collingwood!” A reminder of Carmeuse’s 1-0 home loss to the Black Hawks, just
fourteen days prior.
If the comment was meant to intimidate, it didn’t. Carmeuse Lime Ltd was a team united and focused and these did not deter after Collingwood put the first goal on the scoreboard at 6:34 of the first period. Just fifty-four seconds after this goal, Carmeuse created another fast-paced offensive opportunity for themselves, but on this day, #4 Zach Catry failed to negotiate the turn and collided with the Collingwood net-minder. These two made acquaintance two weeks prior, when the net-minder issued a cross-check to Catry, which went unnoticed. Yesterday, at 5:40 of the period, Catry found himself in a heated discussion with a member of the Collingwood team. As that discussion ended, each were awarded three two-minute penalties and one ten-minute misconduct. Catry’s line-mate, #9 Ryan Cooper, and another member of the Black Hawks would incur two two-minute minors and a ten-minute misconduct each. And so began the Penalty Box Blues for each team.
The doors of the two penalty boxes were barely secured when Duncan Chevrier, wearing the “C” and #14 for the game, assisted by #19 Dawson Kays, put the puck by the Collingwood net-minder at 5:30.
The Penalty Box Blues continued throughout the second period for each team. The calls were fair and just. This game was fast-paced and chippy and this type of hockey incurs penalties. While some penalties were offsetting others were not and during the second half of the second period, Carmeuse was down two men. Even throughout this, Carmeuse remained focused and disciplined in their level of play. These paid off at 9:51 of the period, after Kays gained possession of the puck in the neutral zone and expertly carried over the blue line and around some Collingwood defenders. Even after being physically stopped by a Black Hawk defenseman, Kays was able regain control of the puck and fire the shot past the Black Hawk net-minder. The Collingwood Black Hawks were in a goal deficit for the first time in their 2014-15 O.M.H.A. Playdowns.
As the period counted down, Collingwood had a breakaway opportunity. Carmeuse net-minder, #30 Ryan Calder, skated out to the hatch marks where he greeted the Collingwood player with a poke check. No goal was scored and Calder’s helmet went flying in the air. It would take several face-offs before Carmeuse successfully cleared the puck into the Collingwood end. There was mounted anticipation as the period finally ended.
This game had taken on a very similar appearance and feel to the one just fourteen days prior. That game’s first period ended tied at zero, this game at one. As the second period ended the visiting team was up by one goal. Just like the game fourteen days prior, “adrenaline-filled anticipation met the players as they stepped onto the freshened ice surface.” This time too, just as before, the third period would end as it started, with the visiting team claiming a one-goal win.
Earlier today, a media conference was held, via telephone, with Henry Catry, Head Coach for Carmeuse Lime Ltd, where he was asked about the team’s high level of performance, discipline and incurred penalties. As always, he was ready with his response.
“As a coaching staff we weren’t overly concerned with the totals as a lot of calls were coincidental so not short-handed situations. The official told us prior he was not putting up with anything after the whistle or trash talking. We are pleased with the penalty kill units we used and their focus on defense first approach.
Both teams displayed the mentality of not giving an inch or making the other pay for any opportunity in each team’s end zone.
As for effort, we feel it was over the top by all (must have been the bus ride or the movie setting the tone). As long as we get that effort I feel confident heading into the home and home with Lincoln because we will have all hands on deck and Lincoln hasn’t seen our full squad as we had a multitude of injuries in the tournament where the Lincoln Blades last saw us.”
Carmeuse continues their 2014-15 O.M.H.A. season, tomorrow night against the Lincoln Blades at the Lincoln Centennial Centre. Puck drops at 7:15 PM.
Game Photo have been added into the PLAYDOWNS COLLINGWOOD @ INGERSOLL Album.