Feb 02, 2015 | Bill |Nanninga | 1261 views
SilverSweet
The Bantam Girls took to the ice this weekend at the classic Orangeville Sweetheart Tournament where Mt Forest always gives the yellow and green a dominating sheen. The team had the added challenge of playing up against an all B division where all their tactical and technical skills would be tested to their limits. The decision to take on the challenge was finalized by team captain Peyton "Red" Noble who declared "Why not? It will just make us stronger". And so she and her team with pride and esteem took to Orangeville to run the gauntlet.
Game one was Friday night on the Olympic ice at Teen Ranch against our hosts the Orangeville Tigers B. Prepared for a strong competitor our opening line up drew into the puck drop. End to end twice then defence Hannah Gerrie snapped a long pass to surging center Payton Noble who drove in for a snipe leaving a shocked Tiger team to reassemble at center ice. With the Tiger's defence tightened up against a gritty Rams offence the game became tight and physical. But as the Tigers defence were continually bested and bodies sprawled thru 15 Rams shots the officials evened up the game with a barrage of seven offensive penalties against the marauding Rams in two periods of play.
But the Rams play both ways.
Our defensive game anchored by goalie Sandra Nanninga and D pairings Kyla Pacheco and Hannah Gerrie and Evelyn Nanninga and Carly Gordon stonewalled the frustrated Tiger offence who drew three roughing penalties in front of the Mt forest net in the second period but failed to get the past the goal line on 10 shots. Play of the Game goes to Payton Noble and the Orangeville goalie for a speedy breakaway and deke saved by a spectacular two leg slide save sending the shooter up and away for an inelegant landing. Third period opens 1-0 for Rams, shorthanded. Three minutes in the the officials put two Rams offence in the box for the second 5 on 3 of the game. The Tigers' two minute onslaught is held back by a dynamic defence triangle and two confident saves. But with 4 minutes to go in the game a hard low slap shot beats an off balance Sandra and the game ties up. White knuckles on both benches as the game ends 1 - 1, shots 21 -14 in favour and a with a battle weary Rams' crew who toughed out a 10 penalty game.
Game two next morning against a second unknown competitor - the Brantford Ice Cats, coming in confidently after a tight 1-0 win over the Etobicoke Dolphins the night before. But battle weary tempered with rest forges battle toughened and ready to test. The clash of competition between confidence vrs determination was soon to grip the arena. The Cats leaped into offence at first puck drop bouncing hard off the lowered Ram's horns, finishing the goal-less period up three shots to one. Confidence soon gave way to confusion as the Rams dug in hard and pressed to offence pounding the Cat's defence unsuccessfully eleven shots to two to finish another goaless and penalty less period. Both sides regrouped for the third and some high paced back and forth hockey had fans and benches riveted with adrenaline as vital saves burst into counter attacks both ways. With 1:02 left the seemingly impenetrable Cat's net finally yielded to yet another counter offensive by Payton, Sam And Savanna with the goal credited to Payton. Puck drop at center next to an empty Cat net and an angry six person Cat offence who quickly gain possession and set up for a break into the Ram's defensive end. The hard angle slap shot goes low and off Sandra's stick up to defender Evelyn who wastes no time dumping the puck up over the button where our flying center picks up the pass and drives the half wall into the Cats end dragged down prone and sliding past the hash marks with the puck sliding ahead and away towards the corner. Like the last scene from an epic war movie Payton somehow stretches another inch and with a last effort manages a weak pass up and back to the slot where a flying Hayley Goreski manages to tap in a difficult backhand to solidify the win with 25 seconds left. An exhilarating game, a hard earned win and a few hours rest before meeting the Etobicoke Dolphins B in Hillsburgh for the final round game.
Game three was played in the old Hillsburgh community center where tight quarters pregame force familiarity and a sense of common spirit between competitors and fans alike; and even a little nostalgia for those well aquainted with that hockey forum from their youth. Riding high in spirit from the previous win the Rams took to the ice with an infectious vibrancy that engaged fans and bench staff alike. Pulsing with unbridled energy the Rams enthusiasm held the overwhelmed Dolphin squad entirely captive for a 5-0 shots on , but scoreless first period. Surging on into the second period the Rams captain Payton Noble finally broke through the formidable Dolphin's defence for an unassisted and shorthanded goal 39 seconds into the period. Two minutes later, wingers Sam Gans and Bekka Martin apply puck pressure to the net allowing center Taylor Mclellan to punch in a rebound for goal two. The Dolphins managed a few respectable counter offences but were no match for action-itchy net minder, Sandra and her aggressive defence squad. Period two, shots 8 to 5 Mt forest. Period three continued the Rams offensive onslaught shots going 11 to 4 but no scoring, for a final 2-0 for our girls. Rams C go to first place. Cudos to Dolphins' goalie Elyse Seravalle who stopped 22 fast pucks form all angles.
Sunday morning, Gold medal game versus the Brantford Ice Cats at the Tony Rose A. Tension is high in the arena as the game approaches and the Rams mantra "ALL YOU GOT" is heard loud and clear all over the arena. And as red and gold circle in to the puck drop the battle ensues. The action is immediately fast and rough as both opponents struggle for dominance. Like game one the refs start handing out head contact penalties and the tension increases as the off balance teams streach their efforts to the limits. 6 minutes in to the first in the Cats end defenseman Kyla Pacheco stops a clearing puck carrier on the blue and seizes the turnover moment to deke and drive deep into the right corner. Head up she sends a speedy pass up the lane to the descending stick of Payton Noble who slaps it home before the tender can get position. Rams Goal 6 of the tournament and lead goal final game. Two minutes later a neutral zone turnover results in a breakaway By Cats' lead scorer #4. Sandra stands ready and calm but the quick left deke beats her pad to the post and the game is tied. A minute later and another turnover leaves Sandra alone to take on a left side breakaway that beats her right glove to the post. The Rams defence gets defiant and the Cats will score no more. The action opens up and the play is aggressive with loose pucks in the crease at both ends but no offence able to reach them. Captain Payton Noble gets a questionable holding call in the second that turns into a major when the other players twisted knee gets her sent to the dressing room. Payton gets kicked out and Savanna Rebhan joins Evelyn Nanninga in the box for a Cats 5 on 3. But Sandra comes through when the inevitable shots come and the defence allows no second chances. As the odds come back even the action continues unabated until the last two minutes when Sandra gives up her post for the extra attacker. Alas the Cats hold strong and the day is theirs.
The loss is disappointing, but the Rams earn second in the B tournament, most goals for and fewest goals against in their division. Once again the green and gold are shone brightly at the Sweetheart by a great group of bantam girls we should all be proud of.