Last weekend the
Sommers Generator Systems Atom A Aces displayed just how great a team they are
as they claimed the silver medal at the Provincial Championships in Toronto. The Stratford Atom A Aces fought hard all weekend
long showing every opponent they played
that very few can match their “refuse to quit” work ethic and their amazing,
collaborative teamwork. They represented
Stratford Girls hockey with class and proved to the entire province that their team
is one of the best in the province and to be held in the highest regard.
The action all started Friday morning with the Aces battling it out with the Belleville Bearcats that ended in a 1-1 draw. Friday afternoon the Aces turned on the afterburners to shoot down the Etobicoke Dolphins 8-0. Saturday morning Stratford finished out the round robin beating the Sudbury Lady Wolves 3-1 for a 2-0-1 record earning them first place in their division. The quarter finals were held Saturday afternoon and the Aces were taking on the Mississauga Chiefs. Stratford hit the ice with serious intensity. Scoring three goals in the first period and they didn’t look back, cruising to a 6-1 win paving their way to a medal game. Sunday morning the ladies suited up for a semi-final dog fight against a familiar foe… The Niagara Falls Rapids. The Rapids drew first blood, scoring in the first period, but the Aces refused to quit and got stronger and stronger as the game went on. The Aces “ground and pound” style paid off in the second period as they found the back of the net to tie the game up. The girls were battling on the ice and the Aces Superfans were forced to battle in the stands as a Niagara Falls mother thought it to be a good idea to stand in the middle of them and heckle the Aces players. The Aces dominated the Rapids with relentless offense and they netted the game winner in overtime to secure their spot in the Provincial Gold Medal game. Unfortunately, the Niagara heckler felt the chill in the air and moved to another seat. She was unable to take part in the Aces Superfan’s ultimate celebration. Sunday afternoon Stratford Aces earned the chance to play the Belleville Bearcats for provincial GOLD! The Aces got off to a great start and their team depth was setting the pace but Belleville was somehow able to weather the storm to keep the game scoreless. Stratford was out chancing and outplaying the Bearcats throughout the second and midway into the third period but Belleville was able to strike first, scoring with 9 minutes remaining in the game. The Aces never gave up and played the Bearcats even harder. The forwards were flying down the ice with impeccable passing while the defense were brilliantly maintaining justice in their own end but less than a minute later the Aces ran into penalty trouble. A few seconds into the penalty kill and Stratford gets called for another penalty to give the Bearcats a 5-3 power play. Belleville was able to take advantage of their fortune and score to make it 2-0. The Aces refused to roll over and fought the Bearcats to the very end but were unable to overcome the 2 goal deficit.
The parents of the players would like to thank the coaching staff of this magnificent team for all of your time and hard work that all of you have put into this season. Your efforts have certainly showed as they were always eager to get to the rink, get into their gear and hit the ice, whether it be for a practice or a game. You have taught them a lot about the game, but more importantly how to be a great team player and love the game of hockey. This team was an absolute pleasure to watch and write about all season long. Thank you so much!!!
GO ACES GO!!!!!