The Kitchener
Lady Rangers Midget “A’s” travelled West and brought home “Silver” in the 27th
Annual London Devilettes Tournament.
The ladies started the tournament against the West Division leading London Devilettes #647. Coming out strong in the first, the ladies set the pace with an early first period marker. Several great blocked shots, outstanding saves (on two breakaways and a few too many 2 on1‘s) along with two power play goals gave the ladies a hard earned first “W” of the tournament. Not bad considering the Devilettes had only failed to score a goal once this season, have never given up four goals against in a game and are ranked 3rd in the Province. Game two had a little less intensity and few good scoring opportunities. The ladies still managed twenty four shots and earned their third point of the tournament. Game three against the Stoney Creek Sabres started strong and stayed strong. Some good patience on the power play had the ladies rewarded with both markers of the game and coupled with some great penalty killing, gave the ladies first overall and a bye to the semi’s. Playing what Coach Dave called the “second best game of the season”, the ladies put together a hard and intense full three period of hockey against the Cambridge Roadrunners. Continuing to make penalties against count, a power play marker would be the only goal of the game (with kudos to the Cambridge netminder for keeping it close) sending the ladies to their third tournament final of 2016 / 2017. The finals were the most physical game of the season and, with the whistle put away, perhaps the worst officiated. The ladies remained determined and played hard. An unfortunate miscue with just over a minute to play gave the London Devilettes the only marker of the game and the tournament win.
This was a great tournament ladies. Once again you showed that no matter who you play, when you come “and play”, you will compete against any team in the Province. The ice doesn’t care if you finished “2nd” or “7th” or if you are ranked “3rd” in the province or if you're ranked “35th” in the province. Those are simply numbers that decide who wears the “home jersey” or how many games you may get to play on your “home ice”. The “ice” only cares about who works the hardest and wants it more.
Many thanks to the London Devilettes (647) (4-0), Guelph Gryphons (1-1), Stoney Creek Sabres (2-0), Cambridge Roadrunners (1-0) and the London Devilettes (654) (0-1) for five great games of hockey. Congratulations to London (654) for your gold medal win.
On behalf of Bill, Dave, Sarah and Tim, congratulations on your third medal of the season ladies! Well-deserved and well earned. Stay focused, keep working the systems and putting pucks to the net. We are certain the rest will take care of itself!
My thanks to Coach Bill, Coach Dave and Coach Sarah for your weekend commitment. The ladies couldn’t have been in better hands!