Carmeuse Claim Game 1 of O.M.H.A. Quarter-Final Series
Thursday night at the Ingersoll District Memorial Centre Carmeuse
Lime Ltd would overcome a two-goal deficit and win the first game in the O.M.H.A.
Quarter-Final Series against the Wallaceburg Lakers, 4-2.
The Wallaceburg Lakers are a strong skating, precision passing team with the ability to fire laser shots. This, married with the success of sweeping their O.M.H.A. Preliminary Series against the North Middlesex Jr. Stars gave the team a mental edge. Carmeuse received a bye for the first series and played only two games throughout the entire month of February and it showed during the first period. While the team skated somewhat well, their own precision passing was just slightly off as was their timing, resulting in a very uncharacteristic turnover at the Carmeuse blue line late in the first period. The Lakers forward made of the opportunity delivering an unassisted snap shot which hit the back of the net at 2:58.
Perhaps it was the turnover, or perhaps it was having fifteen solid minutes of O.M.H.A. Playdown hockey behind them; whatever it was Carmeuse was getting back onto their full game in the second period. During the second minute of play, Carmeuse’s #9 Ryan Cooper (A) used his speed to take the puck into the Lakers end. There was silence as fans from both centres watched the Lakers defense follow closely. The silence was broken as the puck hit the crossbar. Just seconds later, Carmeuse was in a two-goal deficit, but that was cut in half at 5:24 when #7 Tyler Arts, assisted by #16 Eric Savoie and Cooper, tipped the puck into the Lakers net. At 3:18, Carmeuse net-minder, #30 Ryan Calder, made a lightning quick glove save, completely robbing the surprised the Lakers shooter. From centre to net, Carmeuse had started to regain their sense of timing and precision of play. The team would now focus on the third period.
The clock had counted down only twenty-nine seconds of the third period when Carmeuse’s #10 Aaron Lonsberry (A), assisted by Cooper and #20 Tucker Forbes tied the score. Thirty-five seconds later, Savoie, assisted by #15 Dawson Kays (C) made the score 3-2. The Lakers coach called for a time-out. With just under fourteen minutes left, this game was far from over.
Throughout the third period, each team continued to create and deny opportunities. With just over a minute remaining Carmeuse forward, #14 Ben Jentz, demonstrated exactly how to deny the opposition by taking precious seconds away as he battled and moved the puck along the boards in the Lakers end. There was just over a minute left on the left on the clock when the whistle was blown. As the final minute counted down, the Lakers opted to pull their net-minder to allow for the extra attacker. With only forty-one seconds remaining in the period, Savoie, assisted by Kays and Arts, put the insurance goal in the empty Lakers net. As the final buzzer sounded, Carmeuse had come back from the two-goal deficit and won the game 4-2.
On Saturday, Cooper graciously met with the media via telephone. Cooper has played defense throughout the regular season, but during the last regular season game Tuesday night in Strathroy Cooper found himself playing centre between Lonsberry and Jentz. When asked about this, Cooper responded saying that the coaches saw his ability to contribute to the team’s offensive game while on defense and decided to put him at centre. Cooper scored two goals and had three assists during that game. Thursday night Cooper was reunited with Lonsberry and Jentz, where he solidified that he is equally comfortable playing forward or defense.
When asked what the coaches said Thursday night between periods two and three, Cooper was to the point. “The coaches told us we were not playing our game and could be better. We weren’t skating, forcing the puck or doing the little things.” It is obvious the team heard this as they scored three goals and shutout the Lakers during the third period.
Cooper stated he does not know if he will play forward of defense in Sunday’s game in Chatham, nor is he concerned about it. His focus is on the team game. Cooper stated that he plays with some very talented players who are amazing teammates who work well together and make each other the best they can be.
Game 2 of this O.M.H.A. Quarter-Final Series will take place tomorrow night, Sunday, February 7 at the Wallaceburg Memorial Arena. Puck drops at 7:30 PM.