The
Ingersoll Bantam rep team scored three power play goals en route to a
convincing 5-1 victory over the visiting Lambeth Lancers in the opening game of
the OMHA semi-final series February 21st.
The Express came out flying, Parker Hodgson taking a return pass from speedy Mick Donker and forcing the Lancers goaltender to make a big save before the game was forty seconds old. Minutes later, rugged defenseman Ethan Emerson powered his way to the net and almost opened the scoring with a tricky backhand shot. Both teams had excellent scoring chances as play continued in the first. Logan White kept the game scoreless with a huge save on a partial breakaway. Parker Hodgson delivered a crunching body check along the boards in the defensive zone. Hard working forward Christian Lee forced the Lancers into a boarding penalty with 6 minutes remaining in the period. Ingersoll controlled the puck well on the power play, Dayton Racicot converted a pass from Ben White, scoring from a difficult angle to put the Express ahead 1-0. In the second, Nathan Graham caught a Lambeth forward with his head down and made him pay. Daniel Martineau peppered the Lancers goalie with shots from the blue line, Sy Hutcheson, doing battle in the crease, almost managed to jam one of Martineau’s shots over the goal line. With 6 minutes remaining in the period, Ben White came flying down the wing and fired a bullet into the net before the Lambeth goaltender could react. Before the period ended Brennan Rupert, playing forward on the power play, put Ingersoll ahead 3-0. Joel Verspeeten and Parker Hodgson scored for the Express in the third. The Lancers spoiled Logan White’s bid for a shut out with four minutes left in the game. The teams meet again for game two on Friday February 24th in Lambeth. Go Express!!
Submitted by M. Martineau