Dec 10, 2012 | THartung | 1996 views
Bantam A's Compete Strong At Markham-Stouffville Tournament
The Stratford Aces, Accumetal, Bantam A squad competed at the 23rd annual Markham-Stouffville Bantam Classic tournament this past weekend.
In round robin play the Aces ended with a respectful 2-1-1 record. Unfortunately a goal for/goal against ratio needed to break a four way tie to see what teams advanced into the semi final match and Stratford fell short by a narrow margin. On Friday in game one the Aces faced off against North York defeating the Storm 2 - 1. Anna Mohr's strong effort to the puck in the offensive end late in the second period resulting in the tying goal in the match was the spark the Aces needed as they controlled much of the third period of play and earned the winning goal off of the stick of Carly Wouters assisted by Liv Charette and Clodagh Weber. Rylee Kaufman played a strong game in net for the Aces preserving the win. Game two saw Stratford struggle much of this game against West Northumberland not being able to gain any momentum and eventually breaking down on a power play allowing the Wild to score the winning goal of the match short handed in the second period of play, earning a 1 - nil victory. On Saturday the Aces took out their frustration from the previous match defeating Rideau St. Lawrence Thunder 5 - 2. Erin Kuepfer scored twice in the match as did Faith Flanagan. One being an empty netter which was assisted by an unselfish Jocelyn Ballantyne who elected to pass to her line mate in stead of scoring. Charette scored a single marker. Assists in the match were awarded to Grace Fountain and Mohr each with two, Wouters, Ballantyne and Emily Drake with a single a piece. Leah Matthews played well on the blue line as did Kaitlyn Matheison in the offensive end for the Aces . Game four of round robin play saw Stratford battle arguably their best game of the season against the eventual tournament champions, Temiskaming Shores to a 4 - 4 draw. Defenseman Paige Bryn scored her first of the season off of the blue line from a pass from Flanagan. Charette got her second goal of the weekend on a nice rush and shot bar down from a breakout pass by Alicia Hartung. Wouters earned her second goal of the match off of a pass from Balantyne and defenseman Alicia Young put the puck behind the Shores goaltender with assists coming from Tessa Deighton and Fountain. Aliya McNeil made many clutch saves in net for Stratford to help ensure the tie.On a side the team was honoured this weekend by meeting Canada's Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, who was staying at the same hotel on the weekend. Harper was in Toronto watching his son compete at a nearby volleyball tournament.