2016 Panther Prowl Champions
We started off the road to victory on a Friday afternoon in St Thomas as the "Panthers on the prowl" tournament got underway. To win a tournament it takes a complete team effort and that's exactly what the girls brought to the table. First game was set against the South County Predators Yellow. The game was a fast paced event. The Sabres came out flying and were putting everything we had at them. With chance after chance around their net we just weren’t getting the bounces. Half way through the second period they popped on and took the lead 1-0. The girls tightened up the work boots and pushed back Samantha Baker and Nadine Haines didn’t let Predators into their end without a fight. Callie Moir and Sydnee Partridge scoring in the third to give us the big W.
Game # 2 We played South County Predators White. Another Nail biter. Again we were pushing hard but midway through the second they were first on the score board 1-0. Taking a lesson from the game before, we are a comeback team. Late in the Second Callie was able to pop one in assisted by Rebecca Regier and Kayleen Glavin. The 3rd was a return of end to end rushes going both ways; with our goalie Abbie Haines doing what she does best, SHUT THE DOOR. Sydnee Partridge gave us the lead late in the 3rd and we held onto the win.
Game # 3 was a Saturday night venue against South Point. Was time to change it up, we wanted to be on the scoreboard first. Midway through the 1st the girls were standing tall and battling like they were unstoppable. Jewel Stuckless took a couple good hits but came back fighting. The hard work gave us the lead 1-0 with Sydnee putting one past the goal line. Forward Olivia Willert knew it was time to keep her team focused. She was on the ice with stick ready and encouraged the rest of her forwards to keep pushing. Addison Burgess and Hanna Jones make a small but mighty duo- a huge asset to the team. We went on the defensive and shut them down and the sabres held onto the shutout!!!!
Sabres are first in the pool with an undefeated record and gain a buy to the semi-final game.
Game # 4 (semi-final game) The London Devilettes were out next opponent. This game brought out the girls true colours. If there ever was a team effort this was the game. We started doing what we do best, pucks to the net, and lots of pressure. The hockey god’s weren’t with us at the start. out chancing them 5 to 1 we couldn't get a bounce. The game was fast paced and back on forth for 2 periods. Haley Hutchinson played the boards and didn’t back down. Going into the 3rd is was 0-0. Midway through the third the devilettes hit the score board first. This is where the girls really brought a new meaning of determination to the game of hockey. they had to fight for every inch of ice pushing to the net, and they did Olivia Glavin put us on the scoreboard with a beauty pass from Hanna Jones. 3 min later we broke through their line of defence again and Sydnee gave us the go ahead goal. The hardest part of the game was yet to come. With 2 min left in third we got called for 2 penalties giving them a 6 on 3 for the 2 min with their goalie pulled. oh boy!!! All the girls dug deep and found the will to battle like they never had before. We held them off and earned a spot in the championship game.
Game # 5 was a rematch of game # 1. South County Predators Yellow. The stage was set and we were ready. Coach Chris made a promise to the girls that if we came home with the Gold he will be wearing Pink hair for our next tournament with some matching Pink nail polish. Kaydence Foran wanted to make sure to see this happen. With long skating strides she ensured that there were always 2 on that puck when she was on the ice. We got the early lead thanks to Abbey Ansems, that must have heard stories of Bobby Orr. She picked up the puck behind our net went around 5 opponents and put the puck just under the cross bar, the momentum carried through the second with Cassidy Glavin owning her spot infront of their net for a rebound 2-0 Sabres. Brooke Taylor ensured that when she was on the ice she was on that puck – despite being robbed a couple goals .
From there the picture at the top is self-explaining.
WE ARE THE CHAMPS!!!!!!!
PROUD of all the girls, everyone played a HUGE part in the wins. There was no easy game and they earned every bit of it!!!
Thanks to all for an amazing weekend
#prettyinpink