Mar 10, 2016 | NVanderBaan | 875 views
Novice LL "A" Semi-Final vs. Simcoe #1
It was a packed barn on Tuesday night as the 2nd place Anderson Appliance team hosted the 3rd place Simcoe Warriors. It was an excited atmosphere in the stands as both of the Ingersoll Express Novice LL teams played host in back to back playoff games. Friends and family of both squads came out to cheer on the home teams and the players rose to the occasion.
The game got underway at 6pm and #5 Riley Vyse was once again called upon to man the pipes. Ingersoll had a full bench with all players in the line up for the nights game and Coach Chris did his best to spread out the talent. Simcoe also looked to have a full roster and that was a good thing for both teams as this game would turn into a marathon. When the ref dropped the puck to get the game underway the fans exploded in the stands and the arena was rocking. Ingersoll took the puck from the faceoff circle and moved it deep into Simcoe zone. The puck quickly found its' way to the Simcoe goalie who had to be sharp to make the first save of the game. The play remained inside the blue line and Simcoe struggled to clear the puck. With just over a minute off the clock the frustration turned into a tripping penalty for the Warriors and the Express went on the power play. Ingersoll did a great job of passing the puck and it landed on the hot stick of #14 Dylan Craib who ripped a shot high on the left side but was robbed by the glove of the goalie. What a great save to hold the score at 0-0 and give the Simcoe team a much needed spark. Ingersoll kept the pressure on and dominated the early minutes of the period. The Express train took multiple shots but failed to get the puck over the line to light the lamp. Simcoe mounted a counter attack and did some great rushes to get the puck down the ice and get some scoring chances. Riley was looking calm and collected and made the saves look like a walk in park. The period finished with both teams going strong and the score remained 0-0.
The second period was quickly underway and the play was intense. Both teams did a great job of back checking and forcing the defence to make quick decisions. The defence had their hands full at both ends of the ice with the forwards pressing hard and clogging the passing lanes. Ingersoll was trying all the tricks and the shots seemed to go everywhere except on the net. So many times it looked to be a goal and it would just miss by inches. #15 Logan Pare had a great chance after breaking free down the right hand side but a strong skating defence man made a great play to tip the puck off Logan's stick moments before he let the shot go and it too sailed wide. The fans for both teams had lots to cheer about with shots and saves happening for both sides. The period ended with a flurry of shots but again the horn sounded with the score still at 0-0.
Period 3 lit up on the scoreboard and it would be 10 minutes of nail biting and head scratching for both sides. The puck would move up and down the ice and the goalies really stole the show. There wasn't a lack of excitement in the building as more fans piled into the stands in anticipation of the next game between Ingersoll's Canadian Tire and the Tillsonburg Tornadoes. The fans behind the glass had a great view of the frantic play in front of the Express goal keeper as the puck bounced like a pin ball off sticks and skates and the very tip of Riley's toe. Amazingly the puck stayed out of the net and Ingersoll took the puck down the ice to put the pressure back on the Warriors. #9 Noah Muller made some great passes in front of the net and #10 Kian Brown blasted a hard one-timer from the hash mark. Simcoe's goal did an amazing stretch to get a glove on the puck and again deny what looked to be the go ahead goal. The minutes disappeared off the clock and the 3rd period ended with the same score of 0-0 putting the game into overtime. Both teams received a well deserved applause from the crowd for the awesome display of teamwork.
Overtime is exciting in every sport at every level as neither team can get away with the slightest mistake. Both teams had a pep talk at the bench and knew what was at stake. Just like playing games at school recess when the bell rings....."Next goal WINS"! The players squared up, the coaches screamed orders and the fans rang the bells, stomped their feet and held their breath. The play was tight for the opening minutes and neither team wanted to commit to making a mistake. Simcoe had the first real chance as a break away occurred at 5:46 when the puck was deflected up the ice after an attempted shot from the blue line. The Simcoe player charged down the ice at full steam and Ingersoll's goalie Riley Vyse checked his position knowing it all came down to him. The puck came fast and high at the net and Riley made the smoothest glove save like it was never a doubt. WOW! That's all I have to say and the crowd really gave him the credit for saving the game. Next up it was Ingersoll's turn when defence man #19 Tanner Belore had his own break away after noticing Simcoe was making a line change. The "TAN MAN" slipped down the left side of the ice untouched and fired a prayer at the Warriors goal. It was not meant to be when the hot glove hand snagged the puck out of the air and forced a sigh from the crowd. Nice try Tanner! The players continued to play a great defensive game and again the horn would sound without a point on the board.
Period 5 was now on the scoreboard and it was standing room only in the arena. The players lined up for the face off and the puck was dropped. Instantly the play moved deep into the Simcoe end of the ice and a battle ensued in the corner for control of the puck. It was a mob of players at the far end of the rink and sticks where flying everywhere. The mob moved ever closer to the front of the net as the seconds ran off the clock. The puck finally came free to the right side of the goal and #6 Kylah Demers had her stick on the ice and buried the puck in the net for the game winning GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kylah worked a miracle and the fans went crazy with applause! What an awesome game to witness and each and every player deserved the win. Way to go team and good luck on Sunday in the finals!