Carmeuse Down Two in O.M.H.A. Semi-Final Series
Here it is, Wednesday, the day known as hump day. This is where we look at what is past and
look forward to what it to come…the weekend. After losing the first two games
of the O.M.H.A. Semi-Finals to the Durham Crusaders last weekend, this week’s
hump day takes on a whole new meaning for Carmeuse Lime Ltd Minor Midget
Ingersoll Express as they look back and learn from last weekend’s losses and
look to this weekend for what is to come…opportunity.
While players and coaches access what went wrong during last weekend’s two semi-final games, they must certainly see what went well.
During Saturday’s 8:45 PM game, despite not being able to keep the puck on their sticks or contained within Durham’s zone, Carmeuse players never stopped working. The team’s ethic of hard work paid off at 9:18 of the second period when #18 Jason Arts gave his support to #12 Duncan Chevrier who delivered a razor sharp shot past the Durham net-minder, making the score 2-1. Durham would score one more and the period would end 3-1, but Carmeuse new there was a new fifteen minutes of opportunity as the third period started. The third period was by far Carmeuse’s best. As the clock counted down to the last few minutes the score remained 3-1. Carmeuse was running out of time. In the last two minutes of the third period, with the face-off in the Durham end, Carmeuse net-minder Ryan Calder made his way to the bench to allow for the extra Carmeuse attacker. At 1:36, Carmeuse narrowed the Durham lead to one after #14 Chris Dimmers, assisted by Chevrier and #8 Sam Tasker, put the puck behind the Durham net-minder. After the face-off at centre, Carmeuse again opted for the extra attacker. This time though, it would be Durham who would score. The game would end 4-2.
Sunday morning started with a team breakfast at the hotel. Players and coaches shared conversation as they began to focus on the 12:15 PM game. The mood was bright and optimistic. Yesterday’s loss was in the past. Today they must make of every opportunity and play their patient, well-executed style.
Carmeuse looked to be true their game, winning the first period after Tasker put the puck on the stick of Arts who, in turn, put it past the Durham net-minder at 8:17. It would take until 14:19 of the second period before Durham responded. Carmeuse would lose focus of their patient and well-executed style of hockey, and rack up numerous penalties in the second period, permitting Durham several offensive opportunities, including a couple of breakaways. During the first breakaway, as the Durham attacker made his way over the blue line, Carmeuse net-minder #30 Ryan Calder skated forward to greet him. Calder would successfully play the puck and become airborne during his effort. Carmeuse would lose the second period. The score remained tied until 8:41 of the third period, when Durham scored their second goal. The third period was not for the faint of heart as a great game of two-way hockey was played. Only one penalty was called as the officials let the two teams play; unfortunately that penalty would result in Durham being awarded a penalty shot, which was successful. Durham extended their lead by two. Carmeuse refused to give up. At 1:45, the Carmeuse coaching staff called a time-out, allowing their team to rest and to put an extra attacker on the ice. A little over a minute later, it felt like déjà vu as Durham put the puck in the empty Carmeuse net.
Last night, Carmeuse was on the ice at the Ingersoll District Memorial Centre. It was a closed practice and the media was not allowed to attend. Coach Henry Catry held a brief media conference following the practice, where he addressed the media’s questions.
“Last weekend in Durham, our effort was there but we just couldn’t get a break. Throughout tonight’s practice we (the coaching staff) tried to keep hammering home the message: hit the net, never give up on any play and keep pressure on their defense. As a coaching staff, we feel our team outplayed Durham, but just couldn’t get a goal.
We told our boys to forget last weekend. Saturday is important as we are home in our barn, playing before our people, where we seem to play well under pressure.
We have one more practice, Thursday, where we will focus on hitting the net.”
This O.M.H.A. Semi-Final series continues at the Ingersoll District Memorial this Saturday night at 8:00 and Sunday 10:30 AM (if needed). Good seats are still available.
View pictures from last weekend’s games at PLAYDOWNS - DURHAM.