Oct 09, 2017 | JJewkes | 697 views
Week one the season opener
"Whether you're trying to learn in hockey or trying to learn in life, I've always tried to be observant and tried to learn more, tried to evolve, whether it's as a hockey player or as a person. With each year, I try to do that." - Sidney Crosby
Week one of the 2017/18 season had our Ingersoll Express Brokerlink Atom Rep team on the road against the Burford Coyotes. In past years Burford has not been able to match up with our speed and skill sets. This year that is not to be the case. The Coyotes came out with a fast pace attack and caught our Express off guard. Having our boys on their heels right from the start the Coyotes got off to 2-0 lead at the end of the first.
With a quick pep talk between periods Coach Bill was able to regroup our boys and have them playing the aggressive forecheck and back checking game that we are use to. The second was a complete turn around and had our side putting the pressure on and evening the score board at 2-2 by the end. Goals coming from Wyatt Thompson and Colton MacPherson assists going to Jonah Martire (2) and Nathan Crane.
The third period would start to get a little chippy and would see both teams find their way into the box for roughing and Burford for a body contact penalty. At the end the game would be a 2-2 draw. Keeping the undefeated season alive.
Game two would be our home opener against the already bitter rival Ayr Flames. Having already played them twice in tournament play and splitting them 1-1 these two teams are very evenly matched.
The game would have a delayed start due to a missing official. With both teams getting in a extra long warm up, they were chopping at the bit to drop the puck.
Once the puck dropped it was a very exciting back and forth battle having both teams trying to maintain puck control in the others end.
The first and second periods would end scoreless with many opportunities missed by both teams to take the lead. The third would see the Flames break the tie. Then at 4:29 of the period Westin Matsumoto would put a end to the Ayr net minders shutout dreams assisted by Isaiah Wallace and Josh Robles. Then as quick as the puck was dropped the three Express players would hook up once again. With only 8 seconds off the clock the Express took the lead.
The game then looked to be leading to our first regular season win, but a unfortunate penalty by our Express would give the Flames a power play with just over 3 minutes left on the clock. With a little life back in their game the Flames put on the pressure and were able to even the score at 2. As the clock ticked away and with 10 seconds left in the period, the powering the arena would leave us in darkness.
With Ayr having the face off in our end they wanted one last kick at the can to try and leave with a win. So after the lengthy delay the puck would drop and we would clear our zone and the game would finish again with a 2-2 draw. Still leaving our hopes of the undefeated season intact!
Great work this first week Express, it only gets better from here!
"Those that know the sport the best will tell you hockey has a certain rhythm to it. Every shift, every game and every season is inevitably packed with ebbs and flows. Teams are never as bad as they appear during their lowest points, never as good as they seem during their highest ones. The very best teams must be not just talented, but resilient. Not just hungry, but focused. Their sport demands it." - 24/7 Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins