Saugeen Shores Tm#1 defeated Saugeen Shores Tm#2 Wednesday night in Southampton 5 - 3. Their record puts them into the Championship best two of three series against the Arran Elderslie Ice Dogs. Dates TBA.
Although they had a fifth place standing in the league, Team #1 have exhibited steady improvement only losing one game in their last eleven to date. For parity, the playoff format placed the top five teams into Tier One and the bottom four teams into Tier Two. The consistent, confident play of each Team #1 player resulted in a winning record in the playoff round against the higher placed teams with 3 wins and 1 overtime tie.
Against the Saugeen Shores Team #2, Ray Hou opened the scoring early in the first period assisted by Spencer Sutter-Lammie. But in the dying seconds of the period Team #2 squeezed in a phantom goal to tie it up. Just before the buzzer sounded Ray returned the favour and set up Spencer to put Team#1 back into the lead to end the first. Mid-way through the second, Mercedes Roote sent defenceman Blake Shields in to give Team #1 a two goal margin. The line of Anthony Sarauz, Ethan Walsh, and Braydyn Root put a blanket on the opposition every shift and only good goaltending kept them off the scoresheet. Mercedes Roote centred Jared Kerr and (AP) Olivia Hall and they too were always on the puck. In the third period Spencer passed to Kaya Hall who stickhandled through to deke the goaltender for a pretty goal. But Team #2 never quit and came back with two quick goals to make it a close 4 – 3 score. A minute later Amber Gallie dumped the puck into the offensive corner to Kaya Hall who delivered a pass to a waiting Ray Hou all alone in front of the goalie who made no mistake in putting in the insurance marker. Jolina McLean was focused in goal and earned the team Digger Award for her impressive performance. The defence of Amber Gallie, Hunter Barnard, Keyanna Kimewon, and Blake Shields were again awesome. Practice Saturday 12pm at The Plex. Good luck to Team #1 teammates and other area players participating in the LittleNHL tournament over the March Break.