Great news for hockey fans who enjoy live game action,
juvenile hockey returns to the IDMC (Ingersoll District Memorial Centre) next
Saturday night when the Carmeuse Lime Ltd. Ingersoll Express Juvenile Rep Team
face-off against the visiting Lincoln Blades at 9:30 PM and, if the team’s brief
preseason is any indication of what fans can expect, it’s going to be an
exciting season.
While other teams in the Ingersoll District Minor Hockey Season (IDMHA) were being rostered, Ken Zegers, Head Coach for the Carmeuse Lime Ltd Juvenile Rep Team, was patiently waiting for final cuts to be made from area junior teams so those players could skate with the team. Zegers’ patience certainly paid off as demonstrated by his team’s shortened preseason exhibition games with the Cayuga Stars.
The Carmeuse Lime Ltd Juvenile Rep Team stepped onto the ice of the Cayuga Memorial Arena, 8:00 PM, Sunday October 1, for their first preseason game with the Cayuga Stars. Net-minder Darren Robinson would be in the crease for the Express.
It is said experience is the best teacher and the same could be said for preseason exhibition hockey. It was obvious that the Express was working on line chemistry and working to define the team game during the first period. Despite a strong effort, there were a few breakdowns in communication and by the end of the first period the Express was in a two goal deficit.
During the second period a tired Express continued to work on their team chemistry and this determination paid a dividend at 0:31, as Christian Johnston, with help from Mitchell Graham and Luke Zegers reduced the goal deficit to one.
The third period got underway on a fresh ice surface. Like the second period, Robinson and his team shutout the Stars, then with 0:11 showing on the clock, Tyler Goyette, assisted by Christian Johnston and Tanner Shinkel would even the score.
The preseason continued last night as the Cayuga Stars were at the IDMC for an 8:00 game with the Carmeuse Lime Ltd Ingersoll Express, this time it was net-minder Ryan Calder on duty for the Express.
The Express wasted no time in paying a visit to the Stars’ net-minder, as Tanner Moon put the first shot on net at 14:44. It set the tone to a very fast-paced period with each team creating numerous opportunities. The Stars would be first on the scoreboard at 13:17. It looked like the Stars would claim the first period until Luke Zegers, with some help from Joel Couse, tied the score at 0:23 of the period.
The Stars would score once at 4:10 of the second period. It appeared the Express answered the goal late in third period, but appearances can be deceiving, and the game would end 2-1 in favour of the Cayuga Stars.
During the postgame media conference, Coach Ken Zegers had this to say about his team’s effort during Saturday night’s game, “We played a pretty good team and, although we didn’t win, I think we improved from our last game against them (Cayuga Stars). Lots of missed opportunities that could have easily given us a 5-2 win. Ryan was strong in net and kept it close so we were in it right to end. Happy with our second game effort.”
The team has the week off until they open their home season next Saturday at 9:30 PM when they host the Lincoln Blades at the IDMC. Tickets available at the door.
