Feb 02, 2025 | Steve Fogarty | 662 views
U22 Mustangs Grab Gold!
Already sitting on two silver medals this season, the U22 Mustangs took part in the 2025 Stoney Creek Sweetheart tournament this past weekend and were eager to upgrade their bling.
The opening game was against the Stoney Creek Sabres and at times, the guys in stripes. Killing off 32 minutes in penalties, as well as three disallowed goals, the girls from Grand River started off the weekend with a 4-2 win. Shan Fogarty and Jade McCracken both lit the lamp twice to take care of the offence and goaltender Hannah Wilson was our best penalty killer, shutting the door on the Sabres’ shooters. Fogarty was awarded the game MVP.
Game two brought up the South County Blue Predators. The Stangs high tempo style of play was in full force as they set the pace from start to finish and came away with the 2-0 victory. Goal scorers for Grand River were Lisa Jeffrey and Hailey Aitchison, with Hannah picking up her first shutout of the weekend. Jade McCracken was game MVP.
The final game of round robin was against the South County Grey Predators, with the winner moving on to the finals. The Predators matched the Mustangs in tempo, which provided the Mustangs Booster club with entertaining fast paced hockey. The deadlock was eventually broken by Sadie Sinclair as she tipped in the go ahead goal early in the second frame. The lone goal was all Grand River needed as Bree Macleod was stellar in goal grabbing the shutout and earning game MVP.
The Sunday finals brought on the undefeated Niagara Falls Rapids, a team which led the tournament in scoring and only surrendered a single goal all weekend. Similar to the night before, the game was very fast paced with the Rapids taking a 3-1 lead into the third with Leah LeCourtois having the solo Mustangs goal. Midway through the final frame, Mo Robinson went top shelf for Grand River to cut the deficit to a single goal and to set the table for the dramatic finish. With less then two minutes to go in the game, Grand River was assessed two minor penalties putting them on the PK. Down by a goal, short 2 players and with time running out, Jade McCracken picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone and drove the play to the Rapids end while battling both defencemen. Jade outworked the two defenders getting the puck on net, squeaking by the goalie and across the line to knot up the score at 3-3 with a minute to play in regulation. Riding the surge of adrenaline, the Mustangs managed to kill off the 5 on 3 and play resumed with 4 on 4 sudden death OT. With 40 seconds left in the extra session, Grand River lined up in their own end for a defensive zone face-off. Running a set play to spring the weak side winger, the Stangs pulled it off to perfection. Winning the draw back to the D and threading a pass to the streaking winger Hailey Aitchison in the neutral zone for a clear breakaway. Hailey sniped the championship winner and finished off the “Mustang Miracle” to give Grand River Gold.
It was great example of a team coming together, never giving up while battling extreme adversity and believing not only in themselves, but each other. Great weekend ladies!
U22 Grand River Mustangs
Bree MacLeod
Hannah Wilson
Skylar Vos
Kate Askew
Bella Kent
Shan Fogarty
Willow Castellan
Alison Collins
Hailey Aitchison
Lisa Jeffery
Emily Roswell
Liv Rabstein
Sadie Sinclair
Fiona Gillis
Holly Peeling
Mo Robinson
Ava MacQuillan
Leah LeCourtois
Abby Litt
Jade McCracken