12-13 Novice Girls | Feb 03, 2013 | mhobbs | 2134 views
2013 B.A.D. Girls Tournament CHAMPIONS!
MIGHTY STORM ROLLS THROUGH ALYMER, JETS STUCK ON RUNWAY
Just one month after a heartbreaking shoot-out loss in the Woodstock final, the girls headed down the 402 to Alymer for the 14th Annual BAD Girls Blazers Tournament.
This time however, gold medals accompanied the smiles on the ice after the final ended in a 2-1 shoot-out victory over the London Jets. Goaltending sensation Brooklyn "Flippers" MacLeod not only stopped a penalty shot during the tense final, but also shut the door in overtime and stoned all four attempts in the shoot-out.
The team got off to a rough start on Friday afternoon as the girls appeared sluggish out of the gate and had difficulty getting shots on net against eventual finals opponent, the London Jets. Outshot 16-1, game MVP MacLeod was in top form to keep her team in the game allowing only one goal. One shot by the Storm was enough to sneak out with a tie as Alymer Sub Player of the Game Kara "The Flash" Duffy found the back of the net.
Shorty after the game it was learned that due to "weather" concerns, Friday nights game against Mitchell had been rescheduled to Saturday night in Belmont. The team took advantage of the free time with some team bonding, hitting the hotel hot tub and pool, followed by an early night for the big day ahead.
As day broke on Saturday, the host team, the BAD Girls Blazers were up for the challenge. Shots again were in short supply as the girls could not get much going in the Blazers end. A much stronger defensive effort from the group held BAD to only nine shots. The Brooklyn Wall posted the shut out and despite the low shot total, game MVP Lizzie "Goldie Locks" Swain lit the lamp to take a 1-0 victory for the Storm. Aylmer Sub Player of the Game Emma "Clutch" Clark caused the Blazers defence fits each time she hit the ice with her puck pressure.
The second line of River "White Laces" Avery, Dana "Roadrunner" Robbins and Jasmine "Hydro" Pole continue to be snake bit on the score sheet despite creating several good chances throughout the tournament.
Lunch time saw players from different teams and groups hit the ice for the tournaments Skills Competition.
The Storm were represented in all four categories, and put on a show. MacLeod was in the zone in the shootout competition stopping all but one shot to place second. A first place finish may have materialized had the winner had most of her shots against actually hit the net. Rearguard specialist Brice "The Dark" Knight used the occasion to show off her skills at the other end of the rink taking home first place in the shooting accuracy event. Next up Sam "I am" Duncan showed the competition how to skate with the puck by taking top honors in the puck handling competition. The final event also brought another win as "The Flash" Kara Duffy won the fastest skater contest.
Saturday evening saw the team head to Belmont for their make-up game with the Mitchell Meteors. A tight game back and forth with both teams managing just five shots each. MacLeod took home the Alymer Sub Player of the Game honours with the Meteors goalie as both posted shutouts. Game MVP went to defence star Darah "Action" Jackson who dominated the game dictating the play at both ends of the ice.
The grind line of rookies Kyleigh "Happy Feet" Holmes, Gracie "Hack n' Whack" Hobbs and Charlotte "Web" Foster continue to grow in confidence and see more ice time in all situations for coach Darryl "Curfew" Pole
Sunday morning saw the team up early to hit the ice at eight o'clock to complete the group portion of the tournament against the St Thomas Panthers. A win would see the team head to the final, with anything else requiring a favorable result in the Mitchell v Bad game played concurrently on the next rink. With destiny in their own hands the girls finally started to click. Peppering the St Thomas goal, Clark, Duffy and Duncan scored and MacLeod registered her third shut-out in four games as the Storm blew past the Panthers 3-0, setting up an appearance in the noon final. Alymer Sub Player of the Game honours went to Duffy with game MVP to Duncan. Rearguards Reegan "Pink Laces" Avery and Alex "Death Stare" Degurse stepped up with strong performances and continue to improve each game letting any opposing players know they are not welcome near their goalie or the Storm net.
On to the final against a well rested London team, who last played the day before. The Jets got off to a quick start attacking the Strom net wave after wave including a Jets power play. Strong defence and goaltending held the Jets to one goal that managed to sqirm past MacLeod's pad. Though rattled, the team refused to quit and started the comeback. Controversy ensued as the official awarded the Jets a penalty shot for an apparent closed hand on the puck in the Storm crease. Despite sending a player off the bench to take the shot to the dismay of the Storm coaches and fans, MacLeod stoned the Jets player to keep it a one goal game. As the game progressed, the Storm continued to battle causing the opposition to get into penalty trouble. Emma "Clutch" Clark lived up to her reputation as she slotted home the game tying goal on the power play late in the third period. The Storm had another power play near the end but could not capitalize sending the game to overtime. London outshot the Storm 3-1 in the extra frame including a breakaway, MacLeod again shut the door. As the horn sounded, an un easy feeling came over those supporting the team in attendance. Could it happen again? Could they come so close and miss out or would fortunes reverse? Only one person may have known the answer, and as she skated to her net to get ready, a calm confidence was apparent on the face of MacLeod.
First Jets shooter...no goal, Duffy scores at the other end on a nifty deek. Second Jets shooter.....no goal, stopped at other end. Third Jets shooter.....no goal, at the other end Duncan crushes the hearts of the Jets team as its now 2-0. Fourth Jets shooter.....no goal, STORM WIN, STORM WIN, STORM WIN