B team participated in the Stratford Aces Festival Cup Challenge over the weekend of
Nov. 21-23, and went undefeated en route to the gold medal championship.
In game one, the locals faced off against a strong team from Zorra. The Rams scored first, halfway through the second period, when Jessalyn Mulder popped one in. The celebration ended quickly, however, as Zorra retaliated with two quick goals. Mackenzie Pridham soon found the mesh to tie the game 2-2, and Mount Forest again took the lead only eight seconds into a powerplay, when Jenna Kleinsteuber zipped one in from the point.
The Rams earned back-to-back penalties halfway through the third, and their determination produced a shorthanded goal when Pridham again found the back of the net. Zorra narrowed the lead to one when the locals briefly let their guard down, but the Rams held the score to win 4-3. Earning assists were Emily Weber, Gillian VanderMeer and Mulder.
Game two matched the girls against a familiar Milverton Royals team, and Mount Forest dominated by earning four goals in the first period and two more in the second. Emma Bluhm was denied her shutout in the third, when Milverton squeaked one in. The final score was 6-1, thanks to two goals from Kiawna Bonsma, and singles to Carmen Underwood, Miranda Bruce, Weber and Pridham. Assists were credited to Raegan Elliott, Alex McCabe, Brooke-Lynn Hoffele, Danni Gordon, Jordyn Brown, Mulder, Bonsma, Underwood and Weber.
Moving on, the locals faced an unknown Lambeth Lancers team, and end-to-end play saw the game remain scoreless until halfway through the second period. Some great passing from Pridham and Bonsma aided Underwood in putting the Rams on the scoreboard. The Lancers put the pressure on in the third, even pulling their goalie for an extra advantage, but the Rams penalty kill was strong. After Hoffele made a late clearing play, a speedy Weber beat Lambeth to the puck, and her quick shot locked down a 2-0 win.
Next up, the Rams met a determined Milverton team that kept the game scoreless until partway into the third. Outshooting the Royals 10-1 in the third period netted Mount Forest a 3-0 semi-final win; and putting the puck between the pipes were Underwood, VanderMeer and McCabe. Assists were given to Kleinsteuber, Mulder and Hoffele.
The championship game meant a return match with the Zorra Fuzions, and the girls hit the ice knowing they had to play hard if they wanted to take home the banner. McCabe dangled the defense late in the first, earning her a shorthanded goal; and the Rams generated their second goal early in the third when Bruce passed one to Martin. Despite Zorra’s robust efforts, they were unable to put one past Bluhm, and she earned her third shutout of the tournament. Earning MVP honours for the games were Bonsma, Kleinsteuber, Martin and Bluhm. Great job ladies!