The Atom A Aces started off their Provincial run with a win on Friday afternoon. The girls hit the ice as if they were on a mission against a strong Toronto Leaside team. Both teams were held scoreless until the third period when Stratford's Brooklyn Rau popped one in the net. Natalie Weinheimer followed up three minutes later with the Ace's second of the game assisted by Tori Gavin. The girls held Toronto back and Stratford's goalie Skyler Stockie recorded her first shut-out of the tournament.
The girls faced the Kitchener Lady Rangers in game two Friday evening. Kitchener scored early in the first period, but the Aces could not answer. Both teams played strong through the second and third period, but the Kitchener goal was the only one recorded throughout the game.
Saturday morning, the Aces headed to the arena to play their third game, but no-one could have predicted the outcome of the game that will go down in OWHA Provincial history. The game started at 9:15am and was FINALLY decided at 2:20pm, after 5 hours, 15 periods and a shoot-out!! This unbelievable game against the Chatham Outlaws, seemed to go on forever, but proved the stamina, will-power and tenacity of these little fighters. Both teams played some incredible hockey through 3 regulation 12 minute periods, and then the over time started. Dunring each 10 minute period that passed, the Aces proved that they could just keep going and going......finally after 12 over time periods, it was decided by tournament officials that a shoot out would be needed to decide a winner. Each team put out 3 shooters, and still no score. Chatham sent out their fourth shooter who was denied a goal by the unbeatable Skyler Stockie, and then the Stratford bench sent out Emily McFadden who netted the game winner. The entire arena erupted in cheers and the Aces came off the ice exhausted but thrilled. Aces goalie Skyler Stockie literally stood on her head throughout the entire marathon game, stopping every Chatham shot that came at her. Every girl on the Aces team should be commended for their effort, and know that you made every other Aces player and parent, and supporter, extremely proud.
The Aces were only allowed a two hour rest before they had to step on the ice for their second game on Saturday. Considering they were still playing their first game at the time the second game was supposed to start, the tournament officials needed to do a lot of schedule juggling to fit in the rest of the tournament games. Needless to say, every other game that day was slightly delayed!
Stratford faced North Halton in their fourth game of the tournament on Saturday afternoon. The girls were all extremely tired, but did not once complain about it. They just went back on the ice to play some more hockey. In an ironic turn of events, this game also ended in a 0-0 tie after regulation time........more over time to play!!
The game was still scoreless after 2 over time periods so they started a third. Both teams played well, making some beautiful passes, but with only 3 minutes left in the third over time period Stratford's Tori Gavin finally popped the puck in the net giving Stratford another hard fought, but well deserved win. Once again, Skyler Stockie proved that she was the goalie of the tournament, stopping every shot that North Halton fired at her.
The tournament schedule had the Aces playing in the quarter final game on Saturday, but after a number of discussions with the tournament committee, it was agreed that the safety and well-being of the girls would be put at risk if they had to play another game without some rest, so the quarter final game was moved to Sunday morning at 8:15am. The Aces faced a very strong, and well rested, Oakville team on Sunday morning, but could not hold back their offence. Oakville started their scoring with only 7 seconds left in the first period. They put in another 2 goals in the second and then 3 in the third. The final score ended up 6-0 for Oakville, The Aces were very obliviously out of steam, but still held their heads high.
It was an incredible week-end of hockey and the Atom A team was the talk of the entire tournament. We are very proud of the girls and the way they represented Stratford at the Provincial level. Way to go ACES!!!!