PeeWee Wildcats retain top provincial ranking

PRESS RELEASE

PEEWEE WILDCATS

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PeeWee Wildcats Win Gold – Retain #1 Ranking in Ontario

For the third time this season, the Sault Ste Marie PeeWee ‘A’ Wildcats hit the road to take on the Province’s top ranked teams in Southern Ontario. For the third consecutive time, the girls took home gold. The Wildcats travelled to Cambridge, Ontario to take part in the 21st Annual Roadrunner Tournament. 

“When we selected our tournaments back in August, we wanted to make sure we challenged ourselves by selected some of the top rated events in the province.  This was one of them,” said Coach Steve Caruso. “Not only did they attract some very strong teams, the tournament organizing committee put on a top notch event.  The player introductions, light show and national anthem before the gold medal game will be something these girls are going to remember for a very long time.”

The Soo got off to a good start on day one of the tournament by shutting out the Windsor Wildcats 2-0 in their opener. Gabby Bernardo turned away all the Windsor shots while Luca Rebek and Sophie Grawbarger tallied for the Cats. Sophie Thibault was awarded the player of the game honors.

Game two proved to be a much tougher test as the Flamborough Falcons played a tight defensive game and held the Wildcats to a 1-1 tie. Kira Tangie crashed the net and drilled home a rebound to put the Wildcats ahead but moments later the Falcons tied the game on a 5-on-3. The teams exchanged several scoring chances with under six minutes to play but the game ended in a tie. Kira Tangie was named player of the game for the Wildcats.

Day two saw two more games and two more Wildcat wins. Izzy Deady-Bell back-stopped the Wildcats to a 4-2 win over the Clarington Flames in the final round robin match. Goal-scorers were Tangie, Rebek, Brianna Barban and Ally Colizza. Barban earned the game MVP.

In the semi-final game Saturday evening, the Wildcats turned away the Oakville Hornets 3-2 to advance to the finals. Amber Dunbar, Tangie and Barban scored for the Wildcats. Bernardo posted the victory. Rebek was the game’s top player.

“We know we’re going to face some tough Southern Ontario teams at every tournament. That’s all we hear when we travel down this way; how the Southern teams are so much stronger. It was really satisfying to see northern Ontario teams playing in the finals.”  Assistant Coach Jeremy Rebek said of the Sudbury Lady Wolves who breezed through their round robin and semi-final games. “Our girls were ready. We played our best game of the weekend when we needed to.”

Jen Allick led a strong defensive effort and was named the finals player of the game for the Wildcats. Sophie Grawbarger opened the scoring late in the first with what proved to be the game winner and Kira Tangie added her fourth of the tournament early in the second to pad the lead. Gabby Bernardo pitched her second shutout of the tournament and got the win.

The Wildcats entered the weekend with an undefeated tournament record. Their record improved to 16-0-3 and solidified their #1 ranking in Ontario. 

Next up, the Sault Ste Marie PeeWee ‘A’ Wildcats travel to London to participate in the 25th Annual London Devilettes Tournament on Feb. 5.
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