CARMEUSE CLAIM SHAMROCK 'A' CHAMPIONSHIP BANNER, News, Minor Midget Rep - Carmeuse Lime Ltd, 2015-2016 (Ingersoll & District Minor Hockey)

This Team is part of the 2015-2016 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Mar 26, 2016 | kcalder | 1829 views
CARMEUSE CLAIM SHAMROCK 'A' CHAMPIONSHIP BANNER
The score was tied at one when Carmeuse Lime Ltd net-minder, #30 Ryan Calder, skated to the face-off circle to play the puck during Game 4 of the Shamrock Hockey League’s Minor Midget/Midget AE Final Series, last Thursday night in Petrolia.  He had no more than delivered the pass to his teammate as he was hit by a Petrolia player who made no attempt to stop or avoid the collision.  

Calder laid on the ice until the whistle blew at 6:03 of the period.  Clearly shaken, he then made his way to the bench for attention as the Petrolia player made his way to the penalty box.  After some deliberation the penalty was posted; two minutes for interference.  It would be the turning point that gave way to an exciting post-season finish; in sharp contrast to the post-season itself.

The Carmeuse post-season was a true waiting game.  After being eliminated from O.M.H.A. Playdowns on February 11, the team waited to enter Shamrock Playoffs, which they did on February 28 against the South Kent Lighting.    Carmeuse swept the series, which ended on March 3.  Two weeks later, on March 17, at the Ingersoll District Memorial Centre, Carmeuse claimed the 3-1 win in Game 1 of the Final Series against the Petrolia Oilers.  The next night in Petrolia, the Oilers would claim a 2-1 win.  Carmeuse claimed the 3-0 shutout win at home on March 21.

On March 23 in Petrolia, the Petrolia Oilers would register the first goal of Game 4 at 11:39 of the first period.  Five minutes later, at 6:52, #3 Jacob Branderhorst, with support from #5 Riley Jayne and #2 Tucker Forbes evened the score, which is where it remained until the game’s turning point at 6:03 of the second period.  Coaching staff, players and fans were in absolute disbelief as the two minutes were posted on the scoreboard; the call, interference. 

160326_JENTZ.jpgUp to this point in the series, Carmeuse had played an uninspired style of hockey, perhaps due to the post-season version of the waiting game.  Having their goalie plummeted to the ice seemed to serve as the much needed inspiration.  Carmeuse focused on the most effective way to hurt Petrolia’s chances and that was with offense, pure and simple.    This powerplay opportunity demanded a goal be scored and, at 4:54, #15 Dawson Kays (C), assisted by #7 Tyler Arts and #16 Brock Swain, did just that.  Following the goal, Kays skated by the Carmeuse fans and cheered with them.  The fans were on their feet.  A little over a minute later, at 3:31, #14 Ben Jentz, with support from #10 Aaron Lonsberry (A) and #11 Tanner Gedies put some insurance on the scoreboard.  The Carmeuse fans were sure to register their appreciation, the perfect support and motivation for their players.    Carmeuse had returned to their skilled style of patient discipline and it was about the pay another dividend.  With just forty-nine seconds remaining in the period, #12 Nathan Gould, assisted by Forbes and Arts, registered the fourth goal.  At the end of two periods, Carmeuse had a three goal lead. 

Carmeuse lost nothing in the break between periods.  As the third period got underway, the team worked to maintain possession of the puck to protect the lead and to generate some offensive opportunities.  Early in the period, it appeared that Carmeuse had capitalized on one of these opportunities, only to have the goal disallowed.  Disappointed, yet undaunted, Carmeuse maintained their patient discipline.  Creative officiating would put this to the test when four Carmeuse players found themselves in the penalty box at 4:09 of the third period.   A lone Petrolia player would sit in the other penalty box.  The Carmeuse penalty kill would prove successful during the five-on-three.  The penalty boxes had no more than emptied as Jayne, assisted by Branderhorst and #18 Bram O’Connor made the score 5-1 at 1:14, which is where it remained as the buzzer sounded, ending the game and announcing Carmeuse Lime Ltd Minor Midget Ingersoll Express Rep, 2015-16 Shamrock ‘A’ Champions!

There’s a new banner that will soon adorn the wall at the Ingersoll District Memorial Centre, the very first Shamrock Hockey League banner and it was earned by the talented 2015-16 Carmeuse Lime Ltd Minor Midget Rep Ingersoll Express.  This banner has added significance, as Carmeuse Lime Ltd finished first in the regular season standings in Shamrock.

This has been quite the season for this group of talented players, their coaches and manager.  In addition to their Shamrock accomplishments, the team claimed two tournament titles, The Bob Tansley Tournament and the 37th Annual Groundhog Tournament, and a finalist finish at the Huntsville Midget AE Tournament.  These accomplishments more than deserve another mention and recognition.

In closing I would like to thank the coaching staff, the manager, the parents but, most of all, the players, for allowing me the opportunity to cover this exciting season for the IDMHA News.  This is Karen Calder, Media Rep for the 2015-16 Shamrock League ‘A’ Champions, Carmeuse Lime Ltd Ingersoll Express Minor Midget Rep Team, signing off for the last time.