Mar 28, 2011 | Jarid Peterson | 1638 views
Battle on the Border, A Tale of Two Cities
Attention Hollywood script writers, this one may just be for you. An arena sitting on the line between two towns, final game of a championship series, top two division teams, and of course - Overtime. Slap Shot, Youngblood, Miracle, Mystery Alaska, and the Mighty Ducks can all step aside, hockey lore has been rewritten by Novice Girls.
The sunny final weekend of March saw hoards of hockey crazy fans packing a small Kitchener rink for a final epic battle between the number one ranked Kitchener Lady Rangers and the Cambridge Roadrunners. With the series already tied at one game (and one shutout) apiece, it seemed like everyone within a 30 mile radius had converged on the Sportsworld facility. These fans would not be disappointed nor would they be silent.
As each team touched the fresh ice they were greeted with thunderous applause and plenty of noise makers, with standing room only as the fans scrambled for any place to see the game. With the drop of the puck the excitement only grew as both teams traded fantastic chances and even better goaltending. Cambridge utilizing their terrific speed and puck control, Kitchener using their bump and grind gritty hockey. Up and down the ice each team went until Cambridge netted a marker in the first period.
Kitchener would not back down digging deep and pushing hard, and mid way through the second period Lane evened things up with a goal that involved almost every Ranger on the ice. Things were getting interesting and everyone in the stand were on their feet. Fast break after fast break for each team was solving nothing as both goaltenders were standing tall, defenses keeping the pucks to the outside.
Somewhere high up above the cruel and punishing Hockey Gods watched and smiled as after a long 22 game season, countless tournaments, exhibition games, and two months of playoffs, the LLFHL Central West Division Championship was going to be decided by one goal, in a five minute Overtime.
Players exhausted, spectators and coaches hoarse, it was as though the population of two whole cities were holding their collective breath, everyone living in the moment. And then it came. The first drop of the puck saw the Rangers charge forward towards the Cambridge goalkeeper, she however was ready and with quick reflexes turned them away. With a fast break the other way the Roadrunners were on the attack, pushing the puck deep, and then a scramble for the puck.
One flash of stick, one upward spinning puck, one goal, one champion.
Heartbreak for the Rangers and their fans, jubilation for the Roadrunners and theirs.
Two teams that Respect each other, and make each other better, all fans showed all the girls an appreciation for a fantastic game and world class championship in an uproar that rang throughout the Tri Cities.
Congratulations to the Cambridge Roadrunner Players, Coaches, Staff and Supporters and best of luck next weekend in the League Championship that features other champions from Scarborough and Belleville.
Terrific effort and a wonderful Season for the Kitchener Lady Rangers who never ever gave up. Best of luck to the girls as they travel to Brampton to take part in the Novice B Provincials April 8-10.