Bearcats, Ice Kats, Wildcats, Panthers and the Wolves. May sound like a circus to some, but to the Ringmasters of the Central West it sounds like a Petting Zoo.
The bags are being packed and the excitment builds. Four days from now the Kitchener Girls will emerge from the comfort of hotel living to take the ice for one of the Premier events on the hockey calendar. Silver Stick Brighton 2011.
The Lady Rangers are coming off and impressive 15-1-6 regular season which includes nine shut outs. So tight is the defensive Blue Wall with Eden Hardy as the final brick, they are allowing less than three shots per period. But as with every tournament every team starts at zero.
The event this weekend will welcome Novice B teams from throughout Southern and Eastern Ontario. Napean, Peterborough, Whitby, Belleville, and Aurora will all be sending off their daughters to compete in this much hyped Championship.
This will be no easy task for the young Lady's and they will be facing some of the highest scoring teams in the league, however the Kitchener teams regular season record mirrors much of the competition. Combine that with a gold medal and two silvers in four previous tournaments and everything these girls have learned will have the spotlight they need to showcase their deep talent.
Even with the smothering Ranger Defense, there is no doubt that any girl at anytime from any position are both willing and capable of putting the puck in the back of the net. Case in point the recent and timely offensive explosion of Issy and Brooke has added some scary dimensions to the Kitchener team. All lines are contributing points and making plays, there is no time like the present.
If the pace and speed of the most recent games and practices is any indication of the girls ability, we certainly have not yet seen them at their best, if this holds true I know a pack of wild animals who have their work cut out for them this weekend.
Focus, Drive, and Determination
Let's Go Rangers