Bantam Wildcats win Devilettes tourney in London

The National Supply/Servicemaster Bantam Wildcats went undefeated in five games at the 17th annual London Devilettes, OWHA sanctioned hockey tournament this past weekend.

The Wildcat trainers, Loretta Alexander and Sue Chiblow, the unsung heroes of this Wildcat squad, along with booking agent, Cathy Burton as Manager, had the girls prepared to play the best hockey of the year so far.

Game # 1

Wildcats 2 Scarborough Sharks 0

Olivia Pavoni opened the scoring at 4:39 into the opening frame. Jessica Grisdale and Brittany Syms provided the helpers. Renae VanBuskirk scored the insurance goal with 4:43 remaining in the third period. Assists on the play went to Hillary Sayers and Jayce Chiblow. Emily Potvin recorded the shutout in goal for the Sault.

Game # 2

Wildcats 3 Burlington Barracudas 2

Trailing 1-0 at the half way mark of the third period, Karly Meincke got the ball rolling on a powerful wrist shot to the glove side of the Burlington goalie. With 3:56 seconds remaining in the game, the Barracudas would go ahead once again. However, it took just 19 seconds for Logan Caicco to tie the game at two with a quick wrist shot from the point.

Moments later, Kelsey Burton a key defensemen for the Wildcats, had to leave the game with a knee injury. Burton would be lost for the remainder of the tournament. In the final two and half minutes of the game, a minor penalty was assessed against the Sault forcing the Wildcats to play shorthanded for the balance of the game.

While killing the penalty, Jasmine Roy outraced a Barracuda defender to the puck and fed Brittany Syms in the slot where Syms fired a one-timer for the game winning goal. There was 1:39 to go in the game. Burlington pulled their goalie in hopes of evening things up but was denied time and time again by Amanda Alexander who was in net for the Wildcats. Jasmine Roy also obtained an assist on the first goal leaving her with two helpers on the night and single assists were awarded to VanBuskirk and Chiblow.

Game # 3

Wildcats 1 Guelph Thunder 0

In a game to decide first place in Pool B, the Sault went up against the Guelph Thunder winners of a 6-0 pounding of the Burlington Barracudas and 5-2 winners over the Scarborough Sharks. The only goal of the game would come at 1:52 into the second period when Brittany Syms intercepted an errant pass at the blue-line after a dump in by teammate Shelby Sayers-Jones and strong forechecking by Pavoni. Syms walked into the high slot and powered a goal past the Guelph netminder.

"The ability to get the puck out of our end along the boards, as exemplified by left winger, Stephanie Fluke all game was instrumental in the victory today," said coach Tim Burton.

Those efforts combined with another strong effort from Emily Potvin, who earned her second shutout of the tournament were key elements of the win.

Semi-final

Wildcats 3 Oakville Hornets 1

Once again, the Sault team would have to overcome a 1-0 deficit and come from behind to earn a birth in the championship game. Amanda Alexander kept the Sault in the game until Sault Ste. Marie scored three unanswered goals in third period to seal the win. Logan Caicco roofed one from the point with plenty of traffic in front of the Oakville netminder. Just 31 seconds later Jasmine Roy provided the go ahead goal. Syms with the insurance marker ended the hopes of a strong Oakville squad. Assists in the game were awarded to Syms, VanBuskirk, Meinke, Caicco, Roy and Pavoni.

Championship Game

Sault Wildcats 3 Leaside Wildcats 0

In a battle of Northern and Southern Wildcats, the Sault managed to hang on to a 1-0 lead with both netminders providing solid efforts throughout the game. Hillary Sayers scored the first goal with 2:09 remaining in the first period after driving hard to the net and tipping in a pass from VanBuskirk. Logan Caicco also assisted on the goal.

Halfway through the second period, Emily Potvin in net for the Sault, made a spectacular save on a Leaside breakaway. The Leaside player tried a deke to Potvin's left side but was refused by the sprawling netminder who stayed with her every inch of the way.

The game remained 1-0 going into the third period. The defense for the Sault squad which included Riley Jo Linklater, Haley MacLeod, Jamie Sacco, Chiblow and Caicco provided the support needed for Potvin to record her third shut out in as many games to solidify the Gold Medal for the Northern Ontario squad.

In particular, MacLeod, a first year Wildcat, with her first ever Championship, Linklater, Sacco, Chiblow and Caicco showed a strong determination in playing a strict defensive game all weekend. With less than 1:26 remaining in the game and the Leaside goalie pulled, Brittany Syms scored two empty nets goals and the gold medal celebrations began.

"This was the hardest effort of the year," said coach Mark Pavoni. "All 17 players provided the fans with an excellent display of offensive and defensive skills including strong forechecking and superb back checking," added Pavoni. "The goaltending and commitment to keeping the puck out of our net by all of our players this weekend allowed us to achieve success. Allowing only three goals in five games against the caliber of teams that we were confronted with in this tournament is phenomenal".

(Submitted to SooToday.com)