The Saugeen Shores Atom C Storm captured GOLD at the Ontario Women's Hockey Association Provincial Championships held in Mississauga 11th to 13th April 2014. This is the first Provincial Gold in the history of the SSMHA.
Forty-two competitive teams from the Northern, Southern, Eastern, Western, and Central Ontario regions began the season vying for the honour of hanging The Banner from their arena rafters. Following individual league play, League Championships, and Qualifying Rounds, eighteen teams made it to the Provincials representing their Districts.
Crabby Joe’s first game was against a strong and well coached Lucan Irish team at 8:15am Friday morning. The early hour and the fact that Lucan was the strongest team the Storm had encountered all season, they found themselves down 3 – 0 early then down 6 - 3. But before the final buzzer sounded it was a 6 to 5 score and the Girls left the game a confident team. Caelan MacDonald netted 4 goals and Skyler Pomroy had 4 helpers plus a goal. Other assists came off the sticks of Lily VanGeel, Emma Nason, and Olivia Hall.
The Sarnia Lady Sting were on tap for an afternoon game and Crabby’s were thirsty. Ashley Shields provided shut-out goaltending, protected by Lily VanGeel, Emily Russett, Lauren MacDonald, and Natalie Brown. Skyler with two and Francesca Alpajaro with one and one assist found the net with other helpers to Lily and Olivia. This was a well-executed game with Sarnia hard pressed to even get the puck out of their end. Strong forechecking and aggressive “D” pinches were the key to our success.
The tournament format favoured the Pool winners for advancement directly to the quarter-finals. But an incentive was offered to the top of the 2nd placed teams to also receive a bye. All other teams would have a gruelling three game Saturday. Crabby Joe’s final round-robin game was against the Ancaster Avalanche Saturday morning at 9:15am. Owing to giving up 6 goals in the first game, Saugeen Shores goals for and against differential would decide their fate. The aim was lots of goals for, none against. Ashley and her Wall did their part, not allowing a single puck into their net. Skyler and her forward teammates sure did what they had to do. Skyler was amazing, scoring ten goals. Olivia potted 2 and 5 assists; Caelan also scored two with two assists; Francesca had one and one; Lauren and Emma each had two assists with Emily Russett earning one. This offensive thrust allowed Saugeen Shores to advance directly to the Quarter-Finals. It is noted that 6 goals were scored directly from set faceoff draws. Practice makes perfect.
Ironically Saugeen Shores first elimination game would be versus the Lucan Irish Saturday evening. But it wasn’t early morning and Crabby Joe’s were more than ready, opening up a three goal lead. The Irish found a spark late in the third and scored two quick goals to narrow the gap to one but they couldn’t harness Skyler who roofed her fourth of the game with 4 minutes to go. Lucan were presented a power play opportunity and capitalized with 3 minutes remaining in regulation. The winner would come down to which team would win the battles and Crabby Joe’s were relentless on the puck and made the final 4 to 3. This game showed the metal of two evenly matched teams and built up the competitive resolve of each girl. Caelan again complimented her linemate Skyler with three helpers. Other assists with one each were earned by Olivia, Lily and Kennedy Stauffer.
Semi-Finals, Sunday morning 8:15am. The girls were now acclimatized to the scheduling and well-adjusted to early games. The opposition was the Parkhill Jr Stars (North Middlesex). Caelan would open up the scoring mid-way through the first period assisted by her linemates Skyler and Emma. Parkhill tied it early in the second but Sky put Saugeen ahead with an unassisted beauty two minutes later and Francesca Alpajaro from her linemates Olivia and Kennedy gave Crabby’s a two goal cushion going into the third period. With less than five minutes remaining in the game, Parkhill scored and the question was whether it would go to overtime. The answer was No as Saugeen Shores did exactly what they did to Lucan in the previous game and never gave Parkhill a chance to mount an attack.
GOLD MEDAL GAME. Sunday afternoon 12:45pm versus the Brockville Angels. Crabby Joe’s were again rated the underdog and wore their dark sweaters. The Angels were a bigger and much older team but the dark sweaters gave Crabby’s an aura of bigness too. This game started well before the drop of the puck. Instead of singing their traditional pre-game rendition of “Wrecking Ball” inside the dressing room, the girls brought it outside into the rink for all to hear, including the opposition. You knew the girls were ready! Skyler continued her offensive dominance in the tournament, scoring 4 goals with her linemate Caelan chipping in 4 assists and Emma one. Francesca provided a great rush ending with an unstoppable wrist shot top shelf. Make it a Final 5 to 1 win and the Provincial Championship.
What makes this a remarkable accomplishment is the youth of the Saugeen Shores team. Goalie Ashley Shields and second-leading team points leader Olivia Hall are Novice age and Emma Nason is playing in her first year of hockey. Skyler Pomroy and Francesca Alpajaro are the only two second-year Atom players. The defence of Lauren MacDonald, Emily Russett, Lily VanGeel, and Natalie Brown are all first-year Atoms as are forwards Caelan MacDonald and Kennedy Stauffer.
Team Officials :Head Coach Chris Hall, A/Coach Shawn MacDonald, A/Coach and Manager Ray Hall, Trainers Brandon Stauffer and Cindy Brown, Rostered Team Staff Irene Hall. Off-Ice Staff: Diane Shields and Lianne VanGeel.
Team Accomplishments: Finalist early-bird GreyHighlands Shooting Stars Tournament (lost in O/T); International Silver Stick Tournament (lost Semi-Finals in O/T); Walter Gretzky Tournament (Champions); WOAA League Points leader; WOAA Year-End Tournament (Champions); OWHA Atom C Provincial Champions.
Development Program. In the absence of regular players during the season, the Atom team were able to provide 13 players from the Saugeen Shores Novice C Girls team game experience as Affiliated Players and shared Practice game slots with the Atom Girls. These Novice girls won the Novice Division in the Silver Stick Tournament and were also coached by Chris Hall. Our Atom Girls share this accomplishment with their Little Sisters.