‘Bar-out’ instead of ‘bar-down’ helps preserve Glendale victory

Ingersoll DCI’s Jeremy Stiles (left) takes a swipe at the puck along with Tillsonburg Gemini goalie Jack Bruder as defender Owen Ardy looks on. (Jeff Tribe Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Echo Correspondent

The Tillsonburg Gemini kept their undefeated TVRA South East boys’ hockey streak alive on Jan. 9 at Tillsonburg’s Memorial Arena.

But the visiting Ingersoll DCI Blue Bombers made them work for it, ‘bar-out’ instead of ‘bar-down’ away from a potentially different outcome than a 3-1 Gemini victory.

“Crossbar,” Blue Bomber forward Jeremy Stiles reported of a shot that rang loudly off the iron with 1:21 remaining in the third period. “Tough. Needed that one.”

There was a little more on the line for several players on both teams including Stiles, who when not representing their respective schools, play minor hockey together on the Shamrock League’s South Oxford Storm. They’re still friends out on the ice as high school opponents says Stiles, although that doesn’t mean they hold back.

“Just have fun but also try and win,” he explained.

And while there might be a little ‘chirping’ about the outcome come the Storm’s next game, Stiles was ready for it.

“Probably,” he admitted, “but I won’t care.”

Stiles’ teammate W. Parsons had put IDCI on the scoreboard with 10:21 to play in the third, assisted by N. Muller. Parsons’ goal cut Glendale’s lead to 2-1 at the time but Glendale’s Rilan Swain restored the two-goal advantage with 2:06 remaining, ripping an unassisted marker home off the left wing, blocker side.

Tillsonburg had opened scoring with 4:14 left in the first, taking a 2-0 lead on a beautiful cross-crease pass with 4:08 remaining in the second.

The game was a tight, well-played contest with the odd heavy hit, but few penalties as both rosters stuck to disciplined hockey. Blue Bombers coach Chris Adkins gave Glendale credit for a better job of puck possession, limiting IDCI scoring chances. The Bombers had generated some quality opportunities he continued, however, had also lost a couple of two-on-one chances through errant passes.

But in a league where every team makes the playoffs, Adkins was pleased with a strong outing between two quality teams as a chance to build toward that postseason.

“Both teams played the game the way it should be played.”

TVRA South East Boys Hockey

Thursday, January 9

Tillsonburg Glendale 3, Ingersoll DCI 1

Wednesday, January 8

Woodstock St. Mary’s 8, Woodstock College Avenue 3

Tuesday, January 7

Ingersoll DCI 5, Woodstock St. Mary’s CHS 1

Woodstock CI 3, Woodstock Huron Park 3

Tuesday, December 17

St. Mary’s 6, Huron Park 3

Glendale 5, College Avenue 0

Thursday, December 18

Lord Dorchester 2, Ingersoll 1

Woodstock CI 6, Aylmer East Elgin 2

Thursday, December 19

WCI 6, East Elgin 2

Lord Dorchester 2, Ingersoll DCI 1

Tuesday, December 17

Glendale 5, Woodstock College Avenue 0

St. Mary’s CHS 6, Huron Park 3

Thursday, December 12

St. Mary’s CHS 6, WCI 4

Wednesday, December 11

WCI 4, Parkside 3

East Elgin 3, College Avenue 1

TVRA South East Girls Hockey

Thursday, January 9

St. Thomas Parkside 4, Ingersoll DCI 1

Lord Dorchester 8, Woodstock Huron Park 2

Tuesday, January 7

Parkside 4, Woodstock CI 2

Thursday, December 19

Ingersoll DCI 5, East Elgin 0

Lord Dorchester 4, WCI 0

Tuesday, December 17

East Elgin 4, Huron Park 3

Wednesday, December 11

WCI 3, East Elgin 2