Mar 08, 2015 | billwalker | 625 views
Tired Rams ousted in semifinals
By Christine Rivet
BRANTFORD -- The peewee C Rams ran into a couple old foes in semi-final action at the 34th annual Walter Gretzky tournament on Sunday.
The Mount Forest girls faced their league rivals, the West Grey Warriors, and their own short bench.
The short-staffed Rams battled back from a two-goal deficit and before their faithful cheering section at the venerable Civic Centre only to fall 2-1.
"It's tough to go with nine skaters at a tournament like we did," said Rams head coach Bill W. "We had the shortest bench of any team we faced. And our girls emptied their tanks."
Mount Forest had plenty of chances around the opposition's goal throughout the contest, including the two posts defenders Presley B. and Jayde M. hit.
Rams captain Haven L. led the charge with a tremendous effort, scoring short-handed on a thrilling end-to-end dash in the third to put her team within striking distance. She was presented with the Rams' game MVP award.
Jayde M. earned the Super Cape for her diving effort to keep the puck inside the Warriors' blue line in the dying seconds with goalie Alyssa V. pulled for an extra attacker.
Morgan F. won the Rams' Hard Hat Award for her determined work, winning important face offs and back-checking throughout.
The Rams got off to a flying start at the Gretzky, winning their first two contests over Petrolia and Gloucester by a combined margin of 7-0. The Mount Forest girls then absorbed a 2-1 loss from Temiskaming Shores in their round-robin finale.
Temiskaming downed West Grey 3-1 in the final, another sign of just how close the Rams were to their competition in this tournament.
"Two losses by one goal apiece at this tournament is a pretty impressive feat when you consider how many players we had," said the Mount Forest coach. "We've got a couple things to work on in our upcoming practices to make our lives a little easier.
"But all in all the coaches are very proud of the girls. We deserved a better fate."
The Rams will rest up for their regular-season league finale on Tuesday when they visit Chatsworth Township in Keady at 7:30 p.m.
Next practice for the peewee C Rams is Wednesday at 7:45 p.m. in Mount Forest.