Dec 14, 2021 | Rich McNeil | 226 views
Game # 15 - Express cool off the Thunder
Louie's Pizza and Pasta U15's hit the ice again tonight at the madhouse, after a tough loss against Ayr last Thursday 2-1. This was an opportunity to get their game in check as they begin their quest for SilverStick starting Thursday in Watford
Tonight's starting goaltender for the home squad was Jaxon Pinard. Caledonia came in riding a nice winning streak of their own, so I knew we were in for an entertaining game and I certainly was not disappointed. Riight from puck drop it was evident that this was going to be a game played at a high pace. Both teams appeared hungry tonight, so it was critical that the Express maintained their composure and not give the visiting Thunder any momentum to build on.
Ingersoll got on the board first as Jonah Martire found Noah Muller open behind the unexpecting Caledonia defenders. Before they knew it, Muller found himself all alone, and unleashed a wicked wrister that beat the Thunder netminder. Caledonia would tie the game at 1-1, as captain Easton Knapp got a step on the Express defense and was off all alone, and beat Pinard high glove side.
In the 2nd, after a nice cycle of the puck in the offensive zone, Eli North found Ethan Kish, who put the puck on Dylan Craib's stick, and a quick release caught the goalie off guard and gave the home team the lead once again. The line of Robles, Macpherson and Matsumoto, would give us a two goal cushion, with the puck coming back to Westin who let one go on the sprawling netminder. The kids on the ice were uncertain if the puck went in or not, but as the goalie got to his feet, it was clear the puck had crossed the line. It was Jaxson's time to shine as Knapp broke in on his second breakaway of the game, but this time Pinard's glove hand came out victorious, and kept us up 3-1 heading into the final frame.
Knapp would get his second of the game with just over five minutes left in the game, as yet his speed was just too much for Ingersoll to contain, he was able to break through and beat Jaxson with a perfect shot. With the Caledonia net empty, the boys did a great job containing the Thunder, and with 49 seconds left in the game North found Martire who deposited the puck in the open cage, sealing the victory for the hometown Express in front of yet another large crowd at the Madhouse on Mutual.
The boys head to Watford Thursday to start the pursuit of the prestigious SilverStick tournament. Wishing the boys much success as they compete for an opportunity to participate in an International event in 2022. Good Luck Express.