NotesThe Dunnys Source for sports PeeWee BB Aces capped off a successful season by attending the OWHA Provincial Championships this weekend. Although the girls did not move into the medal rounds, they played some great hockey and walked away from the final game with their heads held high.
The Aces played their first game early Friday morning in Vaughan against the Whitby Wolves. Madison Smith scored two goals only two minutes apart near the end of the first period to put the Aces ahead 2-0. McKenzie Dietrich assisted on one goal. Brooklyn Rau and Lily Daum both had a couple of good chances, but could not beat the Whitby goal tender. Tarha Keen and Sophie Bodgen played well defensively for Stratford. Unfortunately, the Wolves came back and netted 4 goals before the game ended.
In their second game Friday afternoon, the Aces were up against the Kingston Ice Wolves. The first period was scoreless as both teams battled to put the puck in the net. Ella Wouters made some big saves in net for the Aces to help keep them in the game. Emma Gansevles and Kaeley Dunseith both played well defensively in the Aces end to back up their goal tender. The Ices Wolves scored one late in the second period but despite some nice rushes from Jessica Blowes and some great passing by Abby Gilchrist, the Aces could not score. The game ended in a 1-0 win for Kingston.
Due to round robin play, the third game for the Aces was a must win game. In order to move on to the quarter finals, the Aces needed to win and they needed to win by 3 goals. The girls were facing the very strong and fast Caledon Coyotes who had only lost 4 games all season long. Early in the second period, defenceman Sara Campbell, fired a shot from the point which was deflected into the net by Stacey Shackelton. Their second goal came from Madison Smith assisted by Mikayla Flanagan. Needing only one more goal and then a win, the Aces put forth a huge effort. Neely Clarke nearly jammed one in during a scrum in front of the net, and Flanagan fired a wrist shot off the cross bar. The Coyotes were able to lob in an empty net shot after the Aces pulled their goalie for the extra attacker narrowing the margin. Amber Van Nes made some nice passes on the blue line in the dying minutes of the game, but the Aces were unsuccessful in getting the extra goals they needed. Megan Arnold played an amazing game in the Aces net, securing the win for the Stratford girls. Even though they pulled off the win, and played a fantastic game, the Aces did not move on in the tournament.