As the clock counted down the final thirty seconds of the
third period during his team’s final round-robin game at the Huntsville Midget
AE Tournament, Carmeuse head coach Rick Arts made the decision to pull his
net-minder to allow an extra attacker to help tie the score. Just prior to this game, Carmeuse was tied
for first place. If a win was just out
of reach a tie would help keep the team’s status high on the tournament
board. It was a risk Arts knew he had to
take.
Just one day prior, Friday, November 20 at 3:10 PM, Carmeuse Lime Ltd met the Eganville Valley Storm at centre ice on the Olympic size surface of the Don Lough Arena at the Canada Summit Centre. Fans from both centres were treated to a game between two very evenly matched teams. Like Carmeuse, Eganville is a strong skating team that passes well. At 8:20 of the first period Eganville was successful in finding a way around Carmeuse net-minder, #30 Ryan Calder. Carmeuse’s #14, Ben Jentz, would put the puck onto the stick of #7, Tyler Arts, who at 4:23 of the first period made the score 1-1, which is where it remained at the final game buzzer.
At 4:10 the next day, Carmeuse were once again at the Don Lough Arena; this time to face-off against the Ayr Flames. At 9:30 of the first period, Jentz, with some help from #11 Tanner Gedies registered the first goal of the game. At 2:29, #16 Brock Swain would solidify a two-goal lead. Arts, assisted by #6 Eric Savoie and #15 Dawson Kays (C), hit the crossbar as he scored the game’s final goal at 8:23 of the second period.
Carmeuse would next meet the hometown Huntsville Otters at 6:40 PM at the Jack Bionda Arena of the Canada Summit Centre. Perhaps it was the limited time to rest between games, or maybe the change in the size of the ice-surface or even the lighting; whatever it was Carmeuse didn’t look sharp and Huntsville capitalized on every turnover and opportunity. Huntsville would be first on the board at 7:59. Not too long afterward, Kays would pass the puck through the neutral zone and onto the stick of Savoie who showcased why he leads Carmeuse in scoring, as he masterfully put a wrist shot through the legs of the Huntsville defenseman, past the goalie and right into the back of the net. The tie would not last and Carmeuse would be in a two-goal deficit at the end of the period.
Carmeuse successfully regained their style of patient discipline during the second period, getting stronger as the period progressed. Their unified effort would not be rewarded with any goals but didn’t allow any either. The score remained 3-1 as ten minutes was put on the clock.
Carmeuse continued to own the puck at each end of the ice. Their net-minder would do his part for the team’s offensive effort by expertly passing the puck to his teammates. At 6:45, Calder was toppled as he played the puck at the face-off circle. The Huntsville player failed to apply the brakes and would be in the penalty box to experience, first hand, the Carmeuse powerplay, as Savoie, assisted by Arts and Kays, made the score 3-2 at 5:37. For the next five minutes Carmeuse remained focused on getting that one badly needed goal. Then, as the clock counted down the final thirty seconds of the third period, Carmeuse Head Coach Rick Arts made the decision to pull his net-minder to allow an extra attacker to help tie the score.
Even with the extra attacker the puck found an opening and was targeted towards the Carmeuse net. That is until Kays used his great strength and speed. As the puck was getting to the crease, Kays threw himself onto the ice and stretched his stick forward to successfully make the save. With twenty-three seconds left on the clock, Calder was back in the net for the face-off. The game would end in favour of Huntsville.
Carmeuse would finish the round-robin with a record of 1-1-1. The team’s fate would be determined by the two games still to be played. For Carmeuse to advance to the final game, the Ayr Flames would need to beat the Lincoln Blades and the first-place Eganville Valley Storm would need to win or tie against Huntsville. There was nothing left to do but wait.
As the team was leaving the Canada Summit Centre, the media was able to speak very briefly with Kays about the game against Huntsville. He stated, “We are not a first period team. We play really well, in the second and third periods.”
A couple of Carmeuse fans returned to the Summit Centre with team manager Tim Jentz who texted results back to the team’s statistician, Gary Calder. Not often does it happen, but on this night it did. Everything Carmeuse needed, was granted. The first game saw Lincoln defeat Ayr, 3-1. The second game ended in a 2-2 tie. Eganville would finish first and there would be a three-way tie for second place. Calder would busily compute the tiebreaker formula, goals for divided by goals for, plus goals against. The brilliant save made by Kays earlier that day had secured Carmeuse a spot in the championship game, Sunday Morning, 10:10.
Sunday morning hockey never looked so good. Carmeuse demonstrated exactly why they were playing in the championship game for the second time this season. Despite playing very well, Carmeuse found themselves in a two-goal deficit in the third period. The Carmeuse net-minder made a save that had fans from both centres cheering, as he slid across the crease to make the first save and then stretched his glove arm out to catch the second shot.
After the game, Calder, was approached in the lobby by the Huntsville Otters net-minder who had been at the game, “That was a ridiculous save you made in the third.” He was right; there was no better way to describe it.
Carmeuse has played in two tournaments and have two final game appearances. The team is 2015 Bob Tansley Midget AE Champions and 2015 Huntsville Otters Midget AE Finalists. It is unfortunate they will not be able to showcase their high level of team hockey at Silver Stick.
Regular season action continues Thursday night at the Ingersoll District Memorial Centre as Carmeuse hosts the Port Stanley Jr. Sailors at 9:15.
Tournament Photos are Posted at 151120-22 HUNTSVILLE OTTERS TOURNAMENT