After a few games where the Dunny Peewee Aces were not at their best the girls refocused and stayed together getting back to the fundamentals that had made them successful in the early part of the season. Missing one of the leaders in Kayla Weiringa the girls all picked up their games and put forth a solid effort in a complete hockey game against the undefeated Lakeshore Lightning.
Moving the puck well and attacking all three zones the Dunny Peewee Aces and Lakeshore Lightning engaged in a spirited evenly matched hockey game. Kennedy Caldwell was nearly perfect stopping 15 of 16 Lightning shots only being beaten with 2.8 seconds left with the Lightning goaltender pulled.
The game started quick with good play by both teams and it was clear that the Aces had found their game and were ready to compete. Midway through the first period Rayne Bowden took a pass from Olivia Brock and moved it to Briar Slattery on the right side. Slattery smartly found Kennedy McGregor streaking through a seam and hit her in stride. McGregor was determined on this day and she sped down the right wing before snapping a shot into the top corner to give the Aces a 1-0 lead. The Aces continued the 1st period onslaught with Lauren Taylor firing a one-timer, Reece Reinecker getting robbed in close and Avery Wildgust nearly chipping a puck in. All these shots were turned aside by solid Lightning goaltending. The Lightning nearly tied the score late in the first when a seemingly open cage for a Lakeshore goal but Caldwell made her finest save of the day kicking out her left pad to preserve the lead.
The game continued back and forth in the second with fast paced play, good goaltending and good defence. Jesse Dietrich had her best game of the season on the back end providing solid two way play with partner Reese Ostriyznick. Dietrich with her play earned her the Hardest Worker of the Game Award. Oh but there could have been multiple of those awards on this day. Playing with a sense of purpose and want McGregor grabbed a loose puck after Dietrich had fired just wide and swooped around the front of the net and jammed a wrap around in as she was cross checked to the ice paying the price for her second of the game. Raelyn Pennigton picked up the second assist on the goal. Moments later the Aces looked like they had taken a three goal lead when McGregor sent Chelsea Savelle in on goal and she absolutely ripped a shot that was ruled to have found iron despite goal judges ruling it was in and out. Taylor and Madi Cardno teamed up a short time later for Taylor to hit the opposite post. Refusing to let those near misses be distractions the Aces trudged on ending the second with a 2-0 lead.
The teams traded chances in the third strong play by Caleigh Webb on the pinches mitigated opportunities and the most dangerous lightning rush of the period was thwarted by smooth skating Keira Dietz making a calm strong play just inside the Aces blue line. The only question left as the time ticked down was would Caldwell be able to match partner Paige Willie's shutout from Saturday where Willie was brilliant in net against Sarnia. The Lightning threw everything at the Aces net in the final seconds and their hardwork resulted in a good bounce that squeaked past Caldwell to make the final 2-1. Despite that a solid effort by the Aces had the girls feeling good again for the long drive home.
These two teams will meet again next weekend on Sunday for a double header. If this game was any indication for how that game will play out you won't want to miss either game. Please check the website calendar for game times.