Romeo Pet Hospital U13A Aces Cruise to Third Gold Medal this Season.
Aces Sail Through Woodstock Tourney Only Allowing One Goal Against
With solid backstopping as a mainstay of the team the Romeo Pet Hospital U13A Aces
entered their third tournament of the season with another first place finish to
provide them with three straight gold medals and the confidence to inspire the rest of their season.
The depth of the ace offense continued to hamper the
opposition as ten of the 11 ace goals came from different skaters providing
them with a perfect 5-0 weekend record with jut one goal against star net minder Reece Flanagan.
The Aces opened the tournament facing off against the Ayr Rockets. Linley Porter would open the scoring with 2:06 left of the first period followed by Taylor Miller and a third from Teya Anderson. Selena Gethke would
add to the scoring in the second and formidable Ace call ups Emery Smith and Avery Stokes
would complete the tally giving the aces a solid 6-0 opening victory.
Game two against the Lakeshore Lightning would prove to be more
challenging for the ace squad . The first period would place pressure on the Aces and the D proved to be up for the task pushing the lightning offense
away from netminder Flanagan. The Aces would enter into penalty trouble in the
second having to kill off a full minute of 5 on 3 Were the aces could rely on Selina Gethke to win faceoffs and clear the puck. The ace offense
would get started in the third were Gethke hammered home the opening goal while Micky McDonald would capitalize on a Brooklyn Finney point shot to put the
aces up for good 2-0.
Game three would put the Aces against the London Devilettes.
The gunners would get to work quickly as Jule Cameron and Carali Hugill had the
aces up 2-0 early in the first. This early success would be needed as the Devilettes would respond with
consistent pressure on Reese Flanagan while the Ace D kept the Devilette wingers away from Flanagan forcing sharp angled and distanced shots. The Devilettes would score the lone goal against that the aces would allow in the tourney in the
third period. The Aces would hang on to a 2-1 victory.
With a 3-0 pool record the aces would now be assured
of a tournament final. They would see tournament hosting Woodstock Wildcats who also
carried a 3-0 record which would provide the backdrop for a preview of Sunday's final. Woodstock would push the aces
hard and the Ace D of Finnie, Anderson, Schultz, Nyenhuis and Stokes would put on
a defensive clinic continuing to keep the shots away from Flanagan while
Flanagan would ensure any defensive breakdowns would be stopped. The hard
working Blaine Porter and Gethke line would provide the needed goal late in the
third to give the aces an undefeated record headed to the final.
The Wildcats would come out hungry on Sunday's final and put
the aces on their heels in the first period. this is where Reese Flanagan would
hold the Wildcats until the ace Gunners were able to get loaded. After a first intermission
regrouping by coach Porter, the Aces would get on the board led by the tradition of
reliable face off wins from Gethke allowing Kiera Blaine to open the scoring.
Motivated by the grit and determination of that line Mickey McDonald would
streak in from the wing and pick the top right corner to put the aces up 2-0 to end the second period. 2-0 leads are precarious in hockey in
the Aces would ensure that that score would change. Taylor Miller rocketed the
third goal for the aces the three minute mark and Linley Porter would provide
even more insurance late in the third as the Aces cruised to their third
tournament gold medal.
Post game coach Porter praised the depth of the Ace offence and the poise of the Ace D lead none other by Reece Flanagan. Porter was looking to take this renewed confidence into the final stretch of the regular season to ensure a top ranked playoff position in the OWHL Southern - Central West.
As parents and peers of the Aces we wish you congratulations on your continued success which another well deserved win!
