The Pandas road to victory in the Jason Cripps Tournament, News, Novice Pandas #2721, 2014-2015, KGLL (Kitchener Minor Hockey)

This Team is part of the 2014-2015 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Dec 30, 2014 | Jennifer Bertelsen | 1229 views
The Pandas road to victory in the Jason Cripps Tournament
As a non-hockey-playing Mom, I’m yet to determine if the stress is greater for the girls on the ice, the coaches on the bench, or the fans cheering in the stands.  But I can tell you this… it was tense in the stands as we watched in awe of a group of girls who have so quickly bonded as Panda Sisters; and who showed the determination to never give up, even when we were down in goals.

As I have told my daughter, “go out and be the best you can be every second you’re on the ice; and win or lose you’ll have no regrets.”  And that is exactly what I saw over the last 4 days.  It seemed the further we went, and the harder the competition became, the harder these girls played.  

After finishing the round robin with a 2 and 1 record and moving on to face the undefeated Wilmot Wolverines in the semi-finals we knew we had a tough opponent.  Win or lose, every parent in the stands watched this game with pride.  Every girl on the team gave it their all, and forced the game to over-time.  In complete and utter silence through the arena, the Pandas took the win by shoot-out.

The girls arrived to the final game vs Cambridge Teal…. Again knowing their competition was fierce. With bodies a little sore we did some pre-game stretching, lots of cheering and chewed our pre-game Skittles.  These girls wanted the win.  The excitement over-flowed the dressing room and followed them on to the ice.  With a long, hard battle for the puck and shooting opportunities we finally got the first goal of the game late in the 3rd period.  With 3:08 seconds left, the Pandas defended and never let up on the Roadrunners, winning the game and winning the Jason Cripps Tournament!

Some may say it was the pre-game cheers, or the extra Skittle-boost…. But Coach Bob says, “It is working hard in practice, and the fact that these girls bought in to our game plan and came together as a team”.

Great work Pandas!  We are all proud of each and every player, and everything you bring to this team!

Jen Wolf
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