Women's Hockey League crowns playoff champs

After a season of "almosts" and "nice tries" and finishing dead last in league standings, White Oak Paint earned the respect of their peers by winning the league's 'B' Playoff Championship last Sunday at the Rhodes Arena.

It took 3 straight playoff victories, including 2 overtime wins for the "Cinderella Team" to take home the prize, transforming an "okay" season into one of the most memorable finishes ever.

In dramatic fashion, rookie Judith Kovalo potted the winner against Lafarge in overtime, scoring her first goal of the year and squeaking out a 2-1 win. Elaine Angelic and Doreen Shaw assisted on the play. Sarah Fischer scored White Oak's first goal with the only assist going to Jennifer DaCosta.

Lisa Rowlinson scored for Lafarge early in the second period to knot the game at 1-1 after completing a nice passing play with Heidi Frech and Suzanne Dunn. It was all goalies in the third as White Oak's Amanda Luther and Lafarge's Nancy Dewling were sharp, forcing the game into overtime.

Both teams played without their number one "snipers" for the final game. White Oak's Debbie Johnston was scratched from the line up after suffering a broken leg in a "fun game" earlier in the week. "I know I'm missing the biggest game of the year, but I'm trying to convince myself that missing only one game is better than doing this in December and missing half the season," commented Johnston. "I'm so darn proud of these guys! I knew they could pull it off."

Lafarge's top gun, Jenn Blahey, dressed and played a regular shift but it was obvious that she wasn't in top form. After the game, teammates confirmed that Blahey was suffering from the stomach flu. It was Lafarge's second straight trip to the 'B' finals. Last year they won the championship after a superb playoff run.

Skip's Kweok Finally Owns the 'A' Championship

In the 'A' Championship, Skip's Kweok defeated B.D.O. Dunwoody 4-1 to hoist the Keith McWatters Cup for the first time in team history. After three straight trips to the finals, Skip's captured the championship that had an eerie way of eluding them.

"They had all the right ingredients this year," commented an opponent who asked not to be named. "It was a true team effort on their part and that @!#%?!@$ Julie Hodkinson was on fire!"

Hodkinson scored twice and added one assist for Skip's who had fallen behind 1-0 thanks to a nifty goal by B.D.O's Kristie Kernaghen. Jennifer Greco had the only assist. It was all Skip's after that as Co-captain Mona Jones scored once and added one assist. Penny Souliere added a goal and rookie Lisa Keranen along with veteran Cheri Sewell picked up one assist each.

Skip's goaltender, Karen Armstrong, was solid preventing B.D.O. from mustering up any sort of come-back attempt.

WHL Hands Out The Hardware

Following the final games, the league handed out its annual awards at the Water Tower Inn.

The 'Sharon Abrams Award', which is presented to the WHL rookie who best displays 'Courage, Commitment and Klutziness' went to Christianne Monico, a forward with Sports Gold. The Oldest Player Award was presented to Wanda Grife, of Source for Sports (age withheld), along with a full refund of her player registration fee.

This year's Most Sportsmanlike Team, as voted on by the league's referees, went to White Oak Paint. "This is the best award ever!" commented Co-captain, Doreen Shaw upon receiving the plaque.

The Bud Parsons Memorial Trophy, presented to the League Champions for finishing first overall (also known as the "most consistent team" award) went to B.D.O. Dunwoody.

Congratulations to all of this year's award recipients and thanks to all the players in the WHL for making our 6th season as successful, and as much fun, as the first five.

(Submitted to SooToday.com)