Dec 16, 2021 | Rich McNeil | 243 views
Silverstick Game #1 - Express win in OT
The Louie's Pizza and Pasta U15 Rep team started their Regional Silverstiick tournament today in Watford, Ontario. The seven teams representing this group include Prince Edward County, Ilderton, Petrolia, Mooretown, South Huron, Mitchell and your Ingersoll Express.
The boys entered the arena donning their TA7 touques in honour of Tyler Arts. The boys needed to be prepared as we have not seen any of these teams up to this point of the season. The one thing that they could control is their effort that they bring to the game, and they all looked excited to be participating in this very prestigious event. Starting in goal this afternoon was Tanner Belore, who had last played vs Ayr one week ago.
They opened the tournament against the South Huron Sabres. It was apparent that they were looking to get off on the right foot, as they pressed the play early, with a high intensity that we needed to match in order to keep the game in check. We would end up in the penalty box as Jeremy Stiles would be called on an interference penalty. The Express did a great job killing it off, and would end up with a 4 min power play of their own as Max Matheson was the unfortunate recipient of a knee on knee hit. Thankfully, Max was able to get up after a couple of tense moments, as he his an important piece of the Express D core. As we played with the man advantage, we were trying to get some traffic towards the net. The Sabres goaltender who was having some equipment issues, and when the officials did not blow the whistle, he lost his cool, and was assessed a two minute minor for unsportsmanlike conduct. With the Express now with a two man advantage, Kian Brown collected the puck in the corner and patiently waited for the opportunity to feed Colton Macpherson with a tape to tape pass and buried it behind the backup netminder who was put in the game temporarily as they addressed the other goalies pads. The period would end with the Express up by one.
Period two was one the boys would like to have had back. They seemed a bit off and anything they tried to do to gain momentum would be thwarted almost immediately. They continued to play hard, and looked like the tide would turn but a puck given up behind our net, the Sabres player sent it out to his linemate whose quick release got by Belore's extended glove hand, tying up the contest heading to a 15 minute third period.
The boys seem to get some mojo back as they pressed harder for most of the frame, but were unable to get one past the Sabres netminder. Belore needed to be sharp as well as the boards behind his net were extremely lively, and always needed to be mindful of that puck bouncing back into play. As time expired, we thought that was it, but more time went up on the clock, and we were going to be entertained for a 3 vs 3 OT period.
Each team had an early possession, and the Sabres had a couple good looks, but Belore stood tall. Josh Robles, who was buzzing all afternoon, finally saw some daylight, and he took total advantage of the situation, utilizing his speed to breakout on a two on one. You could tell he was shooting all the way, and a beautifully placed wrist shot, over the Sabres goalie, and the Express opened the tournament with a tight 2-1 victory. The boys will get at it again tomorrow once again as they play Prince Edward County in game 2 tomorrow at 12:20pm in Watford.
Get your rest men. All aboard the Express Train!! Good Luck Louie's Pizza and Pasta.