The Saugeen Shores Novice Girls visited Tara on Saturday 28th
December to play their first ever game as a separate team. Eventhough the Arran-Elderslie Atom C team
are an an older team, they carry some novice age girls on the roster as
well.
The objective of the exhibition game was met and the coaching staff were pleasantly surprised with the skill set their players displayed. While some of the girls have AP’d to the Atom C team, they have always had the benefit of the older girl’s support. This was their first chance to skate on their own. The Arran-Elderslie coaching staff also treated the game as an ex game and used the opportunity to use some of their players in unfamiliar positions and roles which resulted in a win-win situation for both teams.
The biggest plus was seeing that the girls could compete with another team and that there was no shyness or fear factor whatsoever. With the shared practices they have enjoyed with the Atom C girls it has indeed proven beneficial. The most difficult position to develop is between the pipes. Talented Parker Ribey made some unflinching saves and with more games and practices, she will become more understanding on what style will work best for her in different situations. The pucks that elude her now will be a distant memory in the future. At just 7 years old, Parker is a Forward with her mixed novice team but she has volunteered to tend goal for her girl’s team. She is such a confident young child with a contagious smile to boot.
Ella Marshall, Sabra Cannon, Brooklyn Quanz, and Sydney McArthur were very composed on defence and each became stronger as the game went on. The line of Chloe Lalonde, Chesney Miller, and Gillian Warren had their chances with Chloe scoring her first ever goal assisted by her two linemates. Olivea Scrappy Pope, Abby Clarke, Courtney Couilliere and Celsey Moulton also had opportunities but what stood out was their desire for the puck. Our girls play on mixed novice teams with the exception of Celsey who at age 7 only participates on the girls part-time novice team and Courtney at age 6 regularly plays Sr Tyke. Promising grassroots program.
The Novice Girls hope to experience more exhibition games and team practices in the new year leading up to the Girls International Silver Stick Tournament held in Saugeen Shores from 7th to 9th February. They will be competing in the Novice Division where they will try to defend last year’s championship.