Schedule & Results, Perth Auto Dismantlers Novice B, 2017-2018 (Stratford Aces Girls Hockey)

Novices Coming Together as a Team in Stratford Festival Cup Challenge

In the words of Neil Diamond “Where it began, I can’t begin to knowing. But then I know it’s growing strong” represents the development of the Perth Auto Dismantlers Novice B Aces as a team. From the first practices, to where we are now has been an incredible journey toward the creation of a team not individual players.

This past weekend, the Novice girls represented Stratford in the Stratford Festival Cup Challenge. The weekend started with two games on Friday. This being the first tournament, the girls were a bit nervous playing Brampton and relied on second year players to show them how to get things going. Jayda Houben opened the scoring on a beautiful tip on a shot from the point. Unfortunately, the Canadettes quickly evened the score only to have Emersyn Miller streak in and score an unassisted goal. The third period had Teresa Schuster provide some insurance on a breakaway goal allowing the Aces to take the first game 3-1 over Brampton.

The second game on Friday found the Aces up against a league rival Woolwich Wild. Miller decided that this was her game and ended up with five goals in the victory. Assisting on her goals were Emma Van Nes, Linley Porter, Keira Blain and Houben. Niamh Appel and Krista McMahon played a very strong defensive game keeping the Wild offense struggling to maintain any sort of momentum.

Saturday had the Aces up against Orangeville in a game for first place. Both teams came out strong hoping for a win. The Novice Aces struck first with Miller finding the back of the net twice with assists coming from Van Nes and Blain. Chloe Schultz and Eve Binns showed great hockey smarts providing coverage when the defense joined the play throughout the game. The game showcased two evenly matched teams that resulted in a tie.

Sunday morning was not kind to the Perth Auto Dismantlers losing the semi-final match 1-0 to a determined Woolwich Wild. Goaltending by Chloe Rison and strong defensive play by Claire Donnelly is what kept the game close as the Wild came out with a chip on their shoulders and outperformed the Aces. Although the girls were hoping to get a win and make it to the finals they left the Stratford tournament holding their heads high with many accomplishments throughout the weekend. The biggest of these being able to say the girls had fun and definitely came away from the tournament having learned what it is to be a team. Moving forward we will use a quote from Henry Ford who said “Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”  

A special thank you to all the volunteers who helped to make the Festival Challenge a memorable weekend for the Novice Team.