Bantam BB Take Silver At Fall Challenge Cup, News (Grand River Mustangs)

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17-18 Rep - Bantam BB | Nov 05, 2017 | Steve Fogarty | 1123 views
Bantam BB Take Silver At Fall Challenge Cup
Taking a break from LLFHL regular season play, the Bantam BB Mustangs took part in the Fall Challenge Cup in Waterloo. This would mark the first time that the whole team would be on the ice since the team was picked back in April.

Game #1 Whitby Wolves vs Mustangs

The first game for Grand River was against the Whitby Wolves, ranked #7 in the province and a team we faced back in September in the Niagara Falls Tourney. The scoreboard kept quiet as both teams took a 0-0 tie into the second. One minute into the second frame, Kai opened up the scoring to give the Stangs a 1-0 lead. The game was even afterwards with both teams battling hard as the clock ticked down. Holding on to the slim one goal lead, the Wolves gave it one last drive and managed to break in on a 3 on 0. Jacobi stood tall and made the save of the game to keep the lead and secure the win for Grand River.

Game #2 Mustangs vs Woolwich Wild

The schedule wasn't getting any easier as the girls took on the #1 team in the province, the Woolwich Wild. If the undefeated Wild were supposed to intimidate Grand River it didn't show as the girls came out flying. Wave after wave of forecheck yielded the first goal of the game off of Roon's stick with five minutes left in the first to put the Stangs up 1-0. The game was by far the fastest and most physical the girls have been in this year. The pace served Grand River well as Jaime scored in the second to stretch the lead to 2-0. The third was just as exciting as the two previous periods as the Wild, facing their first lost of the season, pulled out all the stops and with a goalie on the bench held a 6 on 3 advantage. Logan & Co. held the fort time and time again to stave off the Woolwich attack and to nail down the second win of the day.

Game #3 Mustangs vs Waterloo Ravens

The final game of the round robin presented Grand River the chance to lock up the top seed with a win against the host team Waterloo Ravens. The girls game out ready to play and by the time the game was 14 minutes old it was two goals from Kai and a single from My that made it 3-0 Mustangs. Waterloo would pick up a solo tally midway through the second but the Mustangs were too much this day and held off the Ravens to clinch the top spot and have a perfect 3-0 record heading into the semis.

Game #4 Whitby Wolves vs Mustangs

Once again the Mustangs game out strong, with Jaime & Kai both scoring in their first shift. Whitby would get one back minutes later, but Erika (the girl with no nickname) restored the two goal lead with a laser from the blue line scoring her first of the year. Penalty trouble hampered the forecheck heavy Mustangs and before the first was over Whitby would score again to cut the lead to 3-2. Despite the Wolves pulling their goalie for the equalizer, the Stangs shut them down and the 3-2 score would be the final score. Giving Grand River the win and a perfect 4-0 record heading into the finals.

Game #5 Woolwich Wild vs Mustangs

The gold medal game would be a repeat of the Friday night contest against the previously undefeated Woolwich Wild. This would be the third time Grand River & Woolwich faced each other in the last 8 days, with each team coming away with a win. The Wild showed why they are ranked #1 as they came out strong, mirroring what Grand River did Friday night. Despite the continuous pressure and forecheck from Woolwich, Logan was putting on a show in the Mustangs net. Kicking out biscuit after biscuit to keep the score 0-0. Unfortunately it was only a matter of time before Woolwich broke through and they scored with 5 minutes left in the second to take the 1-0 lead. With the third came the Mustangs of old as they turned up their own forecheck and got Woolwich back on their heels. Two minutes in, Jaime buried the puck to lock the score at 1-1. Another great period of hockey was on display between both teams but it would be the Wild's day as they scored the game winner with less then four minutes to go. The Mustangs tried to knot it up but it was not to be as Woolwich found the empty cage and put the game away. Logan Jeffries was without a doubt the player of the game for the Silver Medal Mustangs. Kai Donaldson would be Grand River's tournament MVP as she had 4 goals and 3 assists in five games. 

It was a fantastic display of talent and team work by the girls this weekend as they played their first games together as a full squad. Their level of play this weekend proved that they can not only compete, but beat the top teams in the Province and its a very bright future ahead. Great job ladies!
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