Never stop Believing, News, Dunny's Source for Sports Peewee A, U13, 2015-2016 (Stratford Aces Girls Hockey)

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This Team is part of the 2015-2016 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Mar 04, 2016 | CBowden | 1634 views
Never stop Believing
On a crisp, early March, winters night the Stratford Aces Dunny’s Sports Peewee A team traveled north to the town of Teeswater for a final elimination game against the Saugeen Maitland Lightning. The winner of this game advancing to the prestigious OWHA Provincial Championships in Toronto. Despite playing well in the first two games, the Ace’s found themselves down 3-1 in a first to 4 points series. Compounded with having been eliminated from the Lower Lakes League playoffs in round one, the team found themselves at the crossroads of perhaps a season ending game. 

As the game played, it was apparent that both teams came ready for battle and scoring chances were had at both ends of the rink.  Saugeen opened the scoring with a rebound goal with 1:01 remaining in the first period.   The score remained 1-0 until deep in the third period when Stratford called a 30 second time out with 2:45 remaining.  It was at this point that the coaching staff knew they had to win and opted to pull the goalie and go with a 6th skater for the remainder of the game.  With 6 skaters on the ice, the Ace’s battled hard but had no success until the 1:31 minute mark when Kennedy McGregor tapped in a rebound goal to tie the game at one.  The teams both lined back up at center ice for the puck drop and as soon as Stratford gained control they once again pulled the goalie and added the extra skater which payed off huge as once again McGregor tapped in a rebound goal to lift the Ace’s to a 2-1 victory tying the series at 3 point each forcing a sudden death double 10 minute overtime. 

Both goaltenders stole the show during the first overtime as power plays were had by both teams. Stratford’s goaltender, Bryanne Baker, made some amazing saves including a remarkable glove save from the slot as the game continued into the second overtime period.  Running deep into the second overtime period, Stratford’s 'run all three lines' philosophy paid off as the Saugeen Maitland team finally began to show signs of fatigue. With just 57 seconds remaining in the second overtime Mia Kuepfer scored a goal and the Stratford Ace’s won the series and now advance to the OWHA Provincials in Toronto on April 8-10. 

Over my years of coaching I have heard from players, referees, parents, and friends that hockey is just a game and I could not agree more.  However not only is hockey a game but also a time of life lessons. You see this team, although they worked hard and stuck together, only found themselves on the winning end of games 8 times the entire season.  What they accomplished up in Teeswater is a life lesson for everyone, it proves that if you put your worries aside, put your best effort forth, believe in yourself, and work as a team from start to finish you don’t have to be the best team on paper but instead have the most heart and desire to win.  This is exactly what this team did and they have succeeded. 

On behalf of the entire coaching staff, parents, grandparents, friends and family, congratulations girls and good luck at Provincials! “Never stop Believing”
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