Rams finish top eight in Ontario, News, Bantam Girls C, U15, 2016-17 (Mt Forest Minor Hockey Association)

This Team is part of the 2016-17 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Apr 09, 2017 | billwalker | 1036 views
Rams finish top eight in Ontario
By Christine Rivet
NORTH YORK – The Mount Forest bantam C Rams’ season came to an end on Saturday at the OWHA provincial championships, after posting two wins, a loss and tie over the weekend.

The Rams were bounced out of contention after they suffered a 2-1 overtime defeat to the Otonabee Wolverines in the quarter-final round, despite out-shooting their opponents and out-chancing them throughout.

“It was a fantastic game for our girls,” said Rams coach Bill W. “The coaches are disappointed for the girls who we feel certainly deserved better, but not in the effort from our players. Our girls absolutely played their hearts out. But we did have trouble putting the puck in the net.”

After falling behind early in the quarter-final, Rams winger Hailey H. stormed down the left wing and fired home the equalizer in the second period.

Otonabee netted the game winner with about seven minutes in the extra frame on a perfect rocket from the top of the circle.

“We kept asking our girls to dig down deep and they kept finding another gear. We couldn’t be prouder of them.”

In earlier pool action at the 16-team tourney, the Rams got their only goal of the contest from Morgan F. in a 1-1 draw with Sault Ste. Marie and dumped the Brockville Ice Angels 4-2 with two goals by Hailey and one each from Tori G. and Morgan F.

In their tournament opener, the Rams defeated the Bluewater Hawks 3-1 after falling behind early. Hailey, Abby W. and Tori G. scored for the winners.

The Rams completed their season with a rock-solid 39-11-6 (won-lost-tied) record. They advanced to five of seven finals in tournaments they entered this season, collecting a gold and four silvers along the way.

At the Leaside tournament in March, the Rams fell 1-0 to the eventual provincial champs, the Temiskaming Puckhounds, in a thrilling gold-medal final.

“All season long, we were right there with the best of the best,” said coach Bill.

The Mount Forest team featured four plus 24-goal scorers on the roster while Rams goalie Alyssa V. posted 27 shutouts on the season. But the team did suffer some key injuries down the stretch which may have hurt their chances in their final two tourneys.

“All in all, a very successful year for the girls. They are a great group. We were extremely grateful to have the opportunity to coach them,” said the coach.

A special shout-out to fellow coach Ben R., trainer Mandi F. and manager Amber M. and to all the parents for their terrific work supporting the team this season.

In Sunday’s medal-round at provincials, Kent County beat Sault Ste. Marie 7-2 in the bronze game. Temiskaming skated to a 5-0 decision over Otonabee to capture the gold.