This
past weekend the U15A Ice Kats captured
GOLD in the coveted Ontario Women’s
Hockey Association (OWHA) Southern League Championships against the London
Devilettes! 48 teams competed in 5 divisions
throughout the season to earn their berth to the Championship.
The
Southern league is the largest girl’s hockey league in Canada encompassing U9
to U22, from Windsor to Kingston, and as far north as Sudbury.
The
Devilettes are the #1 ranked
U15A girls’ team in Canada and enjoyed an undefeated regular season and nearly
perfect playoff run. The Ice Kats are ranked 3rd in Canada and
also had an impressive year, recording only one loss in the regular season and taking home hardware in 4
tournaments!
Playoff
run!
The
Ice Kats lead the east division, securing 1st place in the regular
season and were perfect in the playoffs against the Whitby Wolves, Durham West
Lightning, and Scarborough Sharks to advance.
In round two, the Ice Kats faced off against the North Simcoe Capitals in
a home and home series. The Kats took the first game 4-0, then travelled to Midland
where the Kats gave up a 2-0 lead to the Caps giving them a tie to stay alive, forcing
game three! A standing room only crowd at the Kinsmen arena on Easter Saturday
saw the Kats come out on top and punch their ticket to the Championship Finals!
Championship
game!
The
Kats took the lead in the first period, with Addie Hulsman scoring from the
point. London answered right back with a power play goal in the dying minutes
of the first. The second period was a neutral zone battle, as the Kats
grinded the Devilettes and controlled the play but couldn’t find the back of
the net.
The
third period was just as exciting, and saw London use their impressive speed to
drive the net taking a one goal lead early in the period.
Peterborough never backed down and played a physical and intelligent
game. Exceptional defensive coverage, and smart heads-up hockey kept the
Kats in the offensive zone throughout the period, and Isabelle Casselman
pinched hard from the blue line, sending a bullet to the back of the net, forcing sudden death overtime.
Both
goalies were nothing short of exceptional throughout the game and into the
shootout! After four shooters from each
team, Peterborough came out on top with the lone goal from Addie Moher.
Summitted by Erin McGIll