Team Rollings proudly showing their Medals after winning the Devilettes Tournament
Back Row: Ally I, Coach Darryl, Ally V, Lexy K, Jess N, Abby R, Karley W, Katie V, Cecilia C, Coach John
Middle Row: Alyssa F, Taylor G, Katryna S, Olivia W, Coach Craig
Front Row: Isabella H, Grace R
Team Green capped off a spectacular weekend
of hockey by beating Essex Thunder Orange 1-0 to capture the Bantam HL Crown at
the 25th Annual Devilettes’ Tournament.
After finishing the Round Robin with an undefeated record, Team Green joined LD Fire & Ice, LD White Lightning and the Central York Panthers (D’Ambrosia Law) on their side of the playoff bracket, while 3 teams from the Lakeshore/Essex region joined the Barrie Sharks on the other. The competition was fierce with 3 of 4 quarter-final games ending with 2-1 scores, one in a shoot out after double overtime solved nothing. Team Green’s QF opponent was the ever familiar LD Fire and Ice and in a hard fought, spirited game Team Green came away with the 2-1 victory, scoring the deciding goal late in the third on a goal-mouth scramble.
Sunday’s Semi-final games were equally exciting with Team Green beating the Central York Panther’s 4-0 in a game that remained scoreless well into the second period. Team Green’s relentless pressure finally broke through the Panther’s defenses to give them a 1-0 lead going into the third. After an early third period goal by Bella Hill made it a 2-goal margin, Team Green got on a roll, with Lexy Koning icing the game with an epic individual effort into an empty net with just over 2 minutes remaining. In the other Semi-final, Essex Thunder Orange matched up against their league foes, Essex Thunder White (bolstered by 2 of our own Devilettes) in a game that went 5 rounds deep into a shoot out before Orange was able to break the 0-0 deadlock.
The Final was set, a rematch of the Saturday morning Pool B thriller that ended in a 2-2 tie between Essex Thunder Orange and Team Green. Essex came in riding a hot goalie with a GAA of 0.80 including back to back shootout shutouts, but Team Green had their own formula, 3 solid lines of pressure, supported by a virtually impenetrable defense, backstopped by their own “Kat” who posted her own impressive tournament GAA of 1.20.
The action was fast and the game was physical with Team Green throwing everything they could at the Thunder net. Despite several scoring opportunities Team Green was unable to solve the Thunder’s colossal net minder. Finally with 5 minutes remaining in the third a rebound came to the stick of Grace Reid deep in the slot and she wasted no time going upstairs to get Team Green on the scoreboard. The next 5 minutes had the Thunder throwing everything they could at Team Green to find the equalizer, but it was not to come as the girls shut down the shooting lanes, blocking several shots in the last 2 minutes to preserve the shut out and the Gold Medal.
Shout out to all the LD Bantam HL girls who showcased the high level of hockey that is being played in our League.