Carmeuse Ends Season as O.M.H.A. Semi-Finalists
Just minutes into last night’s O.M.H.A. Semi-Final game in
Whitby, Carmeuse Lime Ltd fans were on their feet cheering after the puck entered
the net of the Durham Crusaders. The
celebration would be disappointedly short as the referee disallowed the goal,
stating the net was off its moorings.
Carmeuse struggled to return to their high level of play and by the end
of the period were in a two-goal deficit.
Just one week earlier, Carmeuse won two straight games to tie the Semi-Finals, after they had relinquished two straight losses the weekend prior to that to the Durham Crusaders. A two-goal deficit was something they could certainly overcome and in the second period they attempted to do just that.
Less than a minute into the second period, Durham would make the score 3-0, but that would not daunt Carmeuse’s captain, #14 Chris Dimmers, who, with a little offensive boost from #15 Parker Moon, scored his first of three at 12:05. Just two minutes later Durham paid a successful visit to Carmeuse net-minder #30 Ryan Calder. Dimmers trimmed the deficit to two with a solo shot at 8:01 and then with the help of #19 Dawson Kays and #18 Jason Arts trimmed it tidily to only one at 4:11. While Dimmers showed what comebacks are made of it wasn’t without adversity, as Carmeuse had yet another goal disallowed in the second period because the referee ruled it entered the net after the whistle.
For Carmeuse to continue their O.M.H.A. quest, they needed to tie or win last night’s game. A tie would have forced Durham to return to the Ingersoll District Memorial Centre for game 6, scheduled for 10:30 this morning. A win meant they would play in the O.M.H.A. Final. Fifteen minutes were on the clock as the teams lined-up at centre ice to commence the third period and what a period it was. Carmeuse did everything but score a goal. Durham protected their net-minder and, in doing so, cut Carmeuse’s opportunities. Just one goal away from the tie, Carmeuse opted to put on the extra attacker. With just a little over two minutes remaining, Durham capitalized on the empty net, ending Carmeuse’s O.M.H.A. quest.
Due to the lateness of the hour, the media conference took place earlier today. As always, Coach Henry Catry was candid as the he addressed the media’s questions about the two disallowed goals, “Apparently the first goal was disallowed because the ref said that the net was off the moorings and he had a delayed penalty on the call to Durham. Another tough break on the second goal.”
When asked if he could share what the coaching staff said to their O.M.H.A. Semi-Finalist team, he said, “The coaching staff told the boys that we were proud of each and every one of them with the effort that was put forth this year and I for one was proud to be their coach. They are a fine group of young men that any coach would of loved to have.”
While the official season has ended for Carmeuse, the team looks forward to playing some three-on-three hockey as ice time becomes available. Coach Catry also wanted to remind the team to bring their sticks and shorts to the year-end party taking place June 27 at a location not disclosed to the media.
This is Karen Calder, Media Rep for the 2014-15 Carmeuse Lime Ltd Minor Midget Rep Ingersoll Express, O.M.H.A. Semi-Finalists, signing off.