Carmeuse Lime Ltd Minor Midget Ingersoll Express hosted the
Mitchell Meteors Midget Rep team for an exhibition game last night at the Ingersoll
District Memorial Centre, part of Sponsor Day presented by Carmeuse Lime Ltd and
the level of play of was anything but exhibition.
After a fast paced first period, matched by razor sharp net-minding by two talented net-minders, the score remained 0-0. While it didn’t seem possible, the level of play seemed somewhat intensified as the second period got underway. It looked as if this period may end like the first; that is until 4:45 when #7 Tyler Arts, assisted at #14 Ben Jentz scored the first and only goal of the period. The clock had just started to count down the last minute of the period as the Meteors created several opportunities. After one of these opportunities, the Mitchell fans stood to cheer, only to find that the bid had been denied by Carmeuse net-minder, #30 Ryan Calder, who stopped the puck right at the goal line.
As the two teams lined up to start the third period, the condition of the ice showed the wear of the past twenty-five minutes of hockey. This is exhibition hockey. There would be no flood. Both teams would have to adjust and adjust they did, which made for a very entertaining third period, keeping fans quiet with anticipation, except for the collective cheers and sighs at met and missed opportunities.
Carmeuse defenseman, #12 Nathan Gould, who just returned to the Carmeuse line-up last week, made his offensive presence known at 11:15. He was assisted #16 Brock Swain. Carmeuse was playing well, but suddenly there was a true and fast Meteor shower. An uncharacteristic turnover would allow the first Meteor hit at 10:52. Less than a minute later, Mitchell made good on a powerplay opportunity. It looked like the game would end at a tie, but there would be another Meteor hit at 5:23. Even with the deteriorated ice conditions players continued to adjust and create opportunities. In the last remaining seconds, Carmeuse would pull their net-minder to opt for the extra attacker to help create on last offensive opportunity. On this night the bid would be unsuccessful. The buzzer sounded to end the game; the score 3-2 in favour of Mitchell.
Following the game, each coaching staff named the Player of the Game for the other team. Swain was named the Player of the Game for Carmeuse Lime Ltd and Judd Walker for the Meteors.
Carmeuse will be at Strathroy’s Gemini Centre Tuesday night where they will play their last regular season game against the Jr Rockets at 9:10.