By Christine Rivet
MITCHELL -- The Mount Forest bantam C Rams discovered an extra speed in their gear box on Friday -- even if it was a little late.
Once the Rams saw they could match the rough-and-tumble style of their opponents, the Lucan Irish, they had much more success. The Mount Forest girls did absorb a 2-1 loss to Lucan in the second game of the day at the Mitchell Meteors Girls Hockey Tournament. But the Rams finished strong after a tentative start, serving notice to the Irish that when they meet again, the Irish had better buckle up their chin straps.
"Once we started moving our feet, taking away Lucan's time and space, we did have much more success keeping the puck in their end," said coach Bill W. "We might not be the biggest team around but we may be the most fit and we can match any team any style they want to play."
Emily A. scored the lone goal for the Rams in their night cap, while Alyssa V. made several key saves to keep the game close in the early going.
Earlier in the day, the Rams erupted for a three-goal third period en route to a 4-1 victory over Ingersoll in Monkton.
Hayley G., Kyla P., Paige D. and Emily A. found the score sheet for Mount Forest. Morgan F. and Kyla P. each tallied a pair of assists for the victors.
The Mount Forest girls, which have been drawn together from four different squads, have taken only a few games to come together as a team, showing their coaches and opponents alike that they are a hard-working, determined group.
"The coaching staff is pleased with the progress we've seen so far in every game. Our new girls are starting to understand their assignments and together with our returning players who already know our system and expectations, that can only mean greater success," coach Bill W. said.
Action continues at the tournament Saturday at 9 a.m. when the Rams meet the host Meteors in Mitchell.