Nov 22, 2016 | Steve Fogarty | 889 views
Peewee B Mustangs Pick Up Silver In Stratford
With a much needed break from League play in order, the girls of Grand River were all set to travel to Stratford to take part in the Festival Cup Challenge.
Game #1 - St Marys Rock
The first game of the tourney saw the Mustangs paired up with a familiar team in the St Marys Rock. This was the third time this season this match up took place with the Stangs undefeated in the previous two. As of late, goal scoring has been an urban legend for the Peewee B Mustangs, heard of but not seen, kinda like Bigfoot. Five minutes into the first, Hartzy showed us Bigfoot was real. Dumping the puck in from centre ice, the puck had eyes and found the corner of the St Mary net. A goal is a goal and it was a HUGE weight taken off the girls (and coaches). Needless to say there was a lot of game left to play. Cue the Texas Ranger as Sarah made "Money Goalie" saves to earn the win, the shutty and game MVP honors.
Game #2 - Mt Brydges Cougars
With an opening win under their belts, the Cougars were waiting in the second game. True to form, five minutes into the first Mo buried her first of the tourney giving the Stangs the early lead. Showing they still had claws, the Cougars tied it up with their own tally two minutes later. The tie would hold up until the 4 minute mark of the second when Madi scored her first of the year to regain the lead for the Mustangs. Mt Brydges was finally put away with Mackie getting the insurance tally with a minute to go. Mackie earned the game MVP as the Mustangs went to 2-0 after the first day of games.
Game #3 - Bluewater Hawks
Saturday morning comes early, especially when you have to drive over an hour to the game. Playing with sleepy legs, Grand River got off to a sluggish start versus Bluewater and as such were down by 1 after one. The second period buzzer was the alarm clock the Mustangs needed as they cranked out the forecheck and a new found offense. Buzzing the Hawks net yielded shots but no goals on the board. The girls kept going with confidence in their abilities and sticking to the fore check. Ferg scored late in the third to get the tie and an all important point in the standings. Big Country Hotson picked up game MVP with her hard work patrolling the blueline.
Game #4 - Brampton Canadettes
The Saturday late game brought up the Brampton Canadettes, who are in second place in their LLFHL loop. If that was supposed to rattle the Mustangs it didn't. Grand River came out with a season high 16 shots in the first, no goals to show for it but the writing was on the wall. Hartzy broke the deadlock in the second as the shots piled up, but only a 1-0 lead to show for the hard work. In the third period all the hard work paid off with four goals off the twigs of Mackie, Mo with two and Chase. When the buzzer sounded the Mustangs won 5-0 and Mo picked up the game MVP (2G and 1A). The win also gave the Mustangs the first place seed going into the semis.
Game #5 (Semi Final) - Bluewater Hawks
The semi final game was against the same early morning foe from the day before, Bluewater. This game was an hour later and the Mustangs were all business out of the gate, Burnzie and Mo scored two goals in the first three minutes to wake up the fans. But it also woke up the Hawks as they scored before the period ended to cut the lead to 2-1. Grand River piled up the shots but it was Bluewater that came away with the only goal and tied it up 2-2. With OT solving nothing it was time for the three player shootout. With both goalies blanking each attempt, the stage was set for Grand River. AJ came out as the fourth shooter and made it count, burying her shot short side to give the Mustangs the 1-0 shootout lead. Now it was time for the Cougars, score we shoot again, a save and its off to the finals for Grand River. Texas Ranger proved "money" once more stopping all four shots in the shootout and carrying the girls into the finals. To put things in perspective, Sarah had 7 shots on her in 37 minutes of hockey, then stopped 4 breakaways in the shootout. AJ picked up game MVP for the shootout winner.
Game #6 (Final) - St Marys Rock
One more dance with the Rock was on tap before the weekend would be over. Being a local team was a big advantage in this one as the Rock came out fresh and aggressive as the Mustangs were feeling the effects of a long weekend of travel and hockey. By the end of two it was 3-0 Rock. Not to be deterred the Mustangs cranked it up outshooting the Rock in the third, hitting two posts and Mo finally breaking the goose egg with a minute left. Unfortunately it was a little late and the girls came home with the silver.
To say this tournament was a success is an understatement. The girls played their absolute best hockey of the year putting up better offensive & defensive numbers this weekend then they have all year in League play. Just as important, it gave them the time to hang together and enjoy the best part of a tournament, having fun. It showed on the ice and off. Thanks for a great weekend ladies!
G - Sarah "Texas Ranger" Walker
D - Erika Van Bakel
D - Jennie "Big Country" Hotson
D - Ella "Zweppy" Zwep
D - Amanda "AJ" Johnston
D - Abby "Ferg" Ferguson
D - Lilly Priesenhammer
F - Morgan "Mo" Robinson
F - Alwynn "Mackie"
F - Cam "Hartzy" Beilhartz
F - Emma "Burnzie" Fogarty
F - Mya Pieczewski
F - Ella Chase
F - Madi Hyndman
F - Kennedy "KP" Peters
F - Emily "Vic" Hales