Two female hockey teams win gold in Brampton

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT FEMALE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

*************************

Sault girls claim two titles in Brampton

Four Sault Ste Marie Female hockey teams travelled to Brampton Easter weekend to participate in the 40th annual Brampton Canadettes Female Hockey Tournament, the worlds largest Female Hockey Tournament, more than 350 teams participate, with two teams coming home with Gold medals.

In the six team Bantam Houseleague Division, Riuniti Banquet Halls from the Sault Female Hockey Association took home top honours. In round robin play Riuniti started off with a 3 - 0 victory over Brampton Don Cherry's, game two they lost 1 - 0 to South Huron Sabres and in game three they defeated Smith Falls 5 - 0, good enough for a record of 2 wins and 1 loss and a three way tie for first place. Based on the better goals for/goals against tie breaker format the Sault team was awarded first place and an automatic bye into the finals. In the final the Sault team faced off once again against the South Huron Sabres, looking for revenge on the earlier loss. The Sault team was up to the task and defeated the Sabres 3 - 0 thanks to the shut-out goaltending of Kelsey Bentrovato.

In the 14 team Bantam C Division play, Sault Spirit, a select team of Bantam aged girls from Sault Female Hockey and a couple from Sault Major, captured the gold medal by going undeated through-out the entire tournament. The Sault team started round robin play with a hard fought 3 - 2 victory over Whitby Wolves, game two saw them handle Markham-Stouffville 4 - 1 and game three was an easy 4 - 0 shut-out win over Orangeville Tigers. The quarter finals was a 2 - 0 win over Parry Sound and in the semi's they easily disposed of Oshawa Lady Generals 5 - 1, setting up a final against Kingston Ice Wolves, a team that eliminated the Sault team at last years tournament. The final was sure to be a great re-match from last year and the teams did not disappoint.

The Sault team jumped out to an early lead when Jennifer Elliott scored on their first shift of the game. Kingston would come back to tie the game at 1 - 1 in the second period and the game would stay that way through until regulation time expired, sending the final into a five minute sudden death overtime. Overtime solved nothing so the teams had to go to a shoot-out to decide the winner. Three players from each team would have the opportunity to shoot and Katie Pietrzakowski would be the only player from either team that was able to score, giving the Sault team the victory. Game M.V.P. for the Sault team was goalie Emma Running.

In Pee Wee B division play, 10 teams competed. Sault Storm, a select team of girls from Sault Female and Soo Pee Wee, made a good showing by making it to the semi-finals. Game one of round robin play had the Sault team defeat North York Storm 4 - 1, game two they handled Perth Rebels 7 - 3 and their final round robin game was a very close, entertaining 1 - 0 loss to Oshawa Lady Generals. In the quarter-finals they faced off against the Vaughn Flames and doused them 3 - 0. The semi-final game had them face eventual tournament winner Georgina Goldenhawks. The Sault team battled hard and almost pulled one out, however they came out on the short end with a 4 - 3 loss.

Soo Selects competed in the 10 team Atom B Division and they too made it to the semi-finals. Their round robin play started with a pair of ties, 2 - 2 against the St. Catherines Chaos and 1 - 1 with Brampton Canadettes. Game three saw them defeat Etobicoke Dolphons 3 - 1 to earn an automatic berth in the semi-finals. In the semi's the Sault team faced off against the Oswego Lady Lightning, the Sault team put up a good fight but eventually lost the game 3 - 0.

Congratulations to all girls for representing Sault Ste Marie very well.

************************************************************