Thursday night at the Ingersoll District Memorial Centre, the
Port Stanley Jr Sailors had Carmeuse Lime Ltd Ingersoll Express Minor Midgets
in a two-goal deficit at 11:44 of the first period. The deficit was cut in half
at 8:53 by Carmeuse forward #6 Eric Savoie, assisted by line-mate, #7 Tyler
Arts. The Sailors would score again and the
score remained 3-1 as the period ended.
Just one minute into the second period, Arts, assisted by Savoie and #19 Jack VanEgdom, would help close the deficit, making good on the only Carmeuse powerplay opportunity of the game. Three and a half minutes later the deficit was depleted after Arts scored, once again assisted by Savoie. With just thirteen seconds left on the clock, Arts was in front of the net when he received the puck from VanEgdom, where he scored his third goal of the night. Port Stanley was now in the deficit situation.
After two solid periods of well-played hockey the two teams left for their respective dressing rooms. The first thirty minutes of this game had been filled with great skating and offensive play which kept each net-minder busy. Only two penalties had been called in the game, one to each team and both in the first period. The teams had a win-loss tie, as Port Stanley won the first and Carmeuse had won the second. With the final fifteen minutes of the game showing on the clock, Carmeuse knew one goal wouldn’t be enough insurance and Port Stanley knew they had scored three in the first and allowed only one goal; they could edge ahead.
The third period did not disappoint as both teams continued to show their skill and utilize their speed. Each team was backed by a net-minder who continued to demonstrate their skill at making the saves and their ability to play the puck. This game was far from over.
Savoie, assisted by Arts and #15 Dawson Kays (C), put a little insurance on the board at 10:03 of the period. At 4:29, #5 Riley Jayne, assisted by Arts, would finally be rewarded as he made the score 6-3. Just seconds later the Port Stanley net-minder would play the puck and send it in the air. Kays would knock it out of the air with his stick. Arts would find it on the ice and put it on the stick of Savoie, who scored his third for the night at 3:42. The game’s pace did no lessen as #14 Ben Jentz was given two minutes for tripping. Port Stanley would make good on the powerplay opportunity at 2:45. The score remained 7-4 as the final buzzer sounded.
Hockey is a game of stats and this game had three which warrant mention; Arts and Savoie each earned a hat trick and Arts earned seven points during the game.
At time of posting, this hardworking minor midget team is currently in first place in the Shamrock Midget AE/Minor Midget Standings.
