Dec 14, 2015 | dhouse | 831 views
Battle at Talbot
Battle at Talbot
Sunday afternoon the Express travelled to Simcoe to face the first place Warriors. One week earlier the Ponting Financial Express Pee Wee REP boys were handed their worst loss of the year as they were handed a 7-0 defeat at the Silver Stick Semi Finals by the Warriors. The Express boys were looking to step up their efforts and make a strong statement that they could match the play of the Warriors. The first period Ingersoll came out with a strong edge but the Warriors picked up their intensity to push the Express back into their own end. A strong battle that was won by defenseman Seth Hedges in front of the Express bench sparked and inspired the Express boys to take their intensity up another notch. The momentum carried over as Ingersoll mounted some scoring opportunities and caught the Warriors on their heels and eventually led to a Warrior penalty. The Express Power Play went to work again and Tye House was able to thread a needle with a pass to a streaking Joel Verspeeten who went in to bury a shot past the Warrior goalie giving the Express a 1-0 lead in the first frame. Both teams played inspired hockey at a tenacious pace for the first two periods and Carter Spence was spectacular pushing aside any Warrior opportunities. It was the inspirational defensive play of Max Branderhorst and Seth Hedges putting their bodies on the line blocking a total of six shots that rallied the Express troops.
Carter Spence made a sprawling glove save that had the referees take a few minutes to discuss before ruling that it was caught behind the goal line. Ingersoll's Aden Brown took another questionable penalty as his diving attempt was ruled not to have touched the puck, but rather ruled a trip. The Warriors buried a shot after a face off win from the point on a redirect that gave them a 2-1 lead, and then banked another PP goal to seal the 3-1 victory. Carter Spence turned away 22 of the 24 shots he faced.
The Express Coaching Staff felt more positive with the team's play, focus and compete level in this game. Next up for the Express is they continue their road trip to Elgin County when they face second place Aylmer Flames on Thursday.