Midget B Girls win International Silver Stick, News (Mt Forest Minor Hockey Association)

The Mount Forest Rams Midget ‘B’ girls hockey team travelled to Sarnia January 30th - February 1st to participate in the 17th Annual Women’s International Silver Stick Hockey Tournament.  

Game one matched Lakeshore against Mount Forest.  Emma Bluhm earned a shutout with a 3-0 win.  Finding the back of the net were Gillian Vandermeer, Amy Martin, and Alex McCabe.  Assists were credited to Mackenzie Pridham, Carmen Underwood and Raegan Elliot.  The Rams would meet the Livonia Knights for game two.  Livonia hit the score board first with a goal at the end of the first period.  Pridham tied it up in the second but Livonia broke the tie with a power play goal in the third to end the game 2-1.  With 10 teams in their division and only four making it to the semifinals the Mount Forest Rams knew they could not afford another loss.  Clearview finished the season at the top of their loop so the girls knew the game was going to be a tough one.  Clearview came out strong capturing three goals in the first ten minutes.  McCabe narrowed the lead to two to end the first.  Early in the second Emily Weber closed the gap to one, only to be reopened less than two minutes later.  A breakaway goal by Vandermeer ended the period one goal behind with a score of 3-4.  Mount Forest hit the ice hard in the third and it showed as the Rams took the lead for the first time in the game.  Brooke-Lynn Hoffele earned a trick to finish the game 6-4. Earning assists were McCabe (2), Weber (2), Martin and Hoffele. Mount Forest met a familiar Mitchell team for their fourth game.  These two teams have battle back and forth throughout the season and this game was no different.  The Rams came out on top with a 2-0 win.  Danielle Gordan and Weber scored with assists from Miranda Bruce, Vandermeer and Martin.  Placing second in their pool meant Mount Forest would play the West Grey Shooting Stars in the semi-finals.  This is a team that Mount Forest has lost twice to during exhibition games. Out shooting their opponent 2-1 Mount Forest was unable to squeak one past Markdale’s goalie.  Markdale only allowed one goal in the four previous games they played.  Scoreless after regular play the Rams went into overtime and continued to plummet the goalie unsuccessfully with shot after shot. Twelve seconds into double overtime Pridham passed the puck to Martin on the point.  Martin shot the puck at a screened goalie to take the win.  Off to the finals to meet Livonia, Michigan again.  The Rams knew they had to come out solid if they wanted to win.  In the first minute of play Martin found the back of the net. Livonia tied it late in the second. As the clocked ticked down, both teams added intense pressure, both teams zealous to break the tie.  Four minutes remaining and Martin fired one from the blue line. Jordyn Brown with her stick on the ice popped the puck up and over the goalie for the game winning goal.  The entire team played with determination and should be very proud of their win. Bluhm on the top of her game played fantastic in net and earned three shutouts this tournament and has a total of 19 shut outs so far this season.  With three goals and three assists, Amy Martin on defense received the player of the tournament award. Congratulations!