SENIOR 'AA' WILDCATS CAPTURE BRONZE

The Sault Ste Marie Wildcats brought home bronze from the Ontario Women's Hockey Championships on the weekend.

This is the third year in a row they've won bronze, an OWHA record at the Senior AA level. The Wildcats' only loss came in the semi-final game, sending them to the bronze medal round. In a rematch of last year's semi against the Sarnia Starfires, the outcome was exactly the same, with the Wildcats losing 1-0.

"That was a tough loss for us," said head coach, Craig Coletti. "We had a goal called back on us early in the game that would have put us up 1-0.

It was frustrating to say the least. We dominated throughout the game but we just couldn't bury our chances. The team bounced back to take the bronze which says a lot about their character. We're satisfied with bronze but we know we're capable of winning gold." Sault Ste Marie defeated a chippy Durham West team 3-2 in the bronze medal match. Lorie Springall scored the winner with 3:54 remaining to snap a 2-2 tie. Ashley Driver and Melissa Holder had the assists.

The Wildcats came from behind twice in the game to stay within reach. Shannon Mashinter scored halfway through the second period with each team playing four aside. Sharon Buehner and Holder earned the assists. Mashinter and Catherine Schryer later set up Jeanette Bondy with only 6:32 remaining in the game to even the score at 2-2. Andrea Scornaienchi had the win in net for the Wildcats who played without defenceman Karen Bell. Bell suffered a shoulder injury late in the semi-final game against Sarnia.

In quarterfinal action, Sault Ste Marie defeated Ottawa North Stars 3-2 on the strength of two first-period goals by Melissa Holder. The Wildcats lost Holder late in the first frame after a questionable major penalty and game misconduct for tripping. OWHA rules dictate an additional one game suspension, leaving Holder unable to play the semi-final game against Sarnia. Ottawa managed only one goal on the ensuing five minute major,tying the game at two apiece early in the second period. Jeanette Bondy scored the Winner with 5:40 remaining in the third period. Ashley Driver, Erica Avery, Cassidy Boudreau and Catherine Schryer each had one assist in the game.

Sault Ste Marie started the tournament with two convincing wins. The first was a 5-2 victory over Newtonbrook Panthers. Carlee Lewis, recovering from a concussion sustained at a team practice, had a goal and an assist. Shannon Mashinter, Erica Avery, Sharon Buehner and Jeanette Bondy each scored once. Catherine Schryer added one assist, while Melissa Holder and Lorie Springall pitched in with two assists each.

Kim Raymond earned the shut out in the Wildcats second game, a 5-0 win over London Sharks. Melissa Holder scored twice. Catherine Schryer, Sharon Buehner and Erica Avery had the other goals. Shannon Mashinter and Karen Bell had two assists each, while single assists went to Jeanette Bondy, Sharon Buehner and Lorie Springall.