Article Submitted by: Mike Martineau.
The
Shooters Photography Midget LL team hosted the undefeated Ayr Flames on
Saturday as part of the Carmeuse Lime Invitational Tournament held annually at
the Memorial Arena in Ingersoll. For much of the opening frame the Express appeared
rusty and disorganized, allowing the visiting team to jump out to a 2-0 lead
before the game was seven minutes old.
When they eventually woke up, the Ingersoll forwards were able to generate a handful of quality scoring chances. Liam Knox hit Tanner George with a perfect stretch pass up the middle sending number 8 in all alone, only to be denied by a very talented Flames netminder. Later in the period speedster Cohen Belore had a clear breakaway after taking a heads-up pass from line-mate Alex Schuett. With less than two minutes on the clock Max Branderhorst, who had gained possession of the puck behind the Flames net, flipped a pass out to Daniel Pullen who was stationed just outside the crease but Pullen was not able to hammer it home.
The Express appeared to have some momentum early in the second. The line of Belore, Schuett and Dylan Daltrey controlled the puck in the offensive zone and were rewarded with Ingersoll’s only goal of the contest. Ingersoll took an undisciplined penalty at the 9:31 mark, which seemed to take some of the wind out of their sails. Numerous minor penalties were handed out as play continued in the second, but neither team was able to cash in on the powerplay.
Ingersoll trailed 3-1 as the third period got under way. The Flames were able to add one more in the final frame en route to a 4-1 victory.
The Express will be in action again Sunday evening as they host the Waterford Wildcats.