Feb 24, 2013 | MMaguire | 2018 views
Gold Medal Win in Brantford Tournament
The Downie Optimist Midget A Aces went undefeated in the Walter Gretzky Tournament this weekend to take home a gold medal. Stratford edged the Hamilton Hawks, 2-1, in the opening match. The Aces struck early on a goal by Emily Patterson in the first two minutes of the game. Despite penalty trouble in the second, they were able to hold the Hawks off until the third period, to a single goal. Taylor Woodhouse secured the win with an unassisted short-handed goal late in the third. Shannon Jewitt and Kayla Veldman were powerhouses in the defensive zone. Game MVP, Megan Jackson, was stellar in net.
The Aces drew a tie with the Brantford Ice Cats in the second game, 0-0. Game MVP Aden Green hustled the entire game creating a few scoring opportunities. Katelyn Hawkins had a strong defensive game. Megan Jackson earned the shut-out.
Stratford came out on fire early against the Ancaster Avalanche in Game #3, scoring in the first 17 seconds of the game. Julie Van Nes rushed the puck, took a hard shot and Aden Green was there to scoop up the rebound for the first goal. In the second period, Taylor Woodhouse fed the puck to Rachael Dotzert who sent a nice wrist shot just over the goalie's shoulder, to put the Aces up 2-0. Ancaster put the pressure on in the third, and were able to score with only 4 minutes remaining. Caroline McDowell and Jaime Van Nes were forceful with the forecheck the entire game. Game MVP honours went to Aden Green for the second time. The Aces won, 2-1.
The Aces triumphed again over the Ancaster Avalance in the Championship game, 3-1. Nicole Marriage tipped in a pass from Taegan Haynes to open the scoring in the first period. In the second period, Haynes picked up the puck for an unassisted breakaway to put the Aces up by two. A breakdown in the third cost the Aces a goal, but Aden Green relieved the pressure a minute later when she skated end to end, beat the defence, and scored on her own rebound. Jessica Barton and MVP winner Julie Van Nes were rock solid on defence. Megan Jackson held tough between the pipes. Walter Gretzky was on the ice to congratulate the winners while he handed out the medals. The final game was won by a great team effort as every player put forth their best effort. The tournament win was a great way for the Midget A team to close their season.