Jan 18, 2015 | dlecourtois | 447 views
A Solid Silver in Cambridge
After a long and very competitive weekend of BB hockey the Pee Wee ladies finished with a well deserved silver lining. Not a complete sweep but no tears here as the gold medal game was one of the highlights of the year to date.
Friday got the journey started as two games went in the books. Game one pitted the Stangs against the Aurora Panthers. Things went well as two players made good on chances in period one. Megan Gunn hit first then line mate Alyssa Montgomery followed. Assists to Montgomery, Beilhartz (2), and Mabey. Period two was a clean sheet but Frances Wolkensperg got the third in the third from Dietrich. Final 3-0 Mustangs.
The afternoon match featured a familiar foe - The Lady Rangers of Kitchener. A similar start and a similar result. Period one had three talleys: Lynsey Goodwin got the ball rolling then Kate Mabey and Natalie Beilhartz followed her lead. The helpers here to Wolkensperg (2), Beilhartz, LeCourtois, and Lean. Kitchener added a single goal late but game two ended 3-1 Grand River.
Saturday finished the round robin and featured the semi final, which were both really good tilts. First on the dance card was Niagara Falls and this one was the pre match for the finals. The casino town rolled a 7 early and managed to score first. Back and forth action filled the rest of the first and into the third until Nat Beilhartz broke the goose egg from MacKenzie Goodfellow. The buzzer beater and the winner came off Meg Gunn's twig, zipping it home 5 hole from Madison Bender. The final 12 seconds ticked by making it 2-1 Stangs for a 3-0 start and first place in pool B.
The Semi final was an even better match as the Stangs drew the hometown hopefuls from Cambridge. It was a great semi with back and forth chances and solid play from both sides but neither goalie would break and after one, two, three it was knotted at doughnuts. As per the rules go directly to the shoot out, do not pass go, and do not collect any $. It doesn't get any tenser than this but to keep it simple the Roadrunners scored with their first shooter and that was it as the Mustang's Wolkensperg and Patterson sealed the deal when Wilson turned aside the other two Cambridge attempts. Nerves settled and a birth to the gold medal game on Sunday against, you guessed it - The Niagara Rapids.
Sunday was the rematch and all too often the team that wins in round robin game cannot repeat in the finals. One of the best games of tournament play, against one of the best opponents so far was enjoyed by all who attended. A bounce was the difference as the Rapids poked the only goal through and weathered the assault as they captured the gold leaving the home side Mustangs wearing the silver. A little let down but overall a great weekend and a well deserved Ag to add to their collection.
"I was very proud of the girls this weekend, everyone stepped up their game in the finals. We battled hard but just didn't get that one bounce we needed. Keep working hard girls, the season is far from over!", Coach Jeremy.