WOMEN'S HOCKEY: Wildcats, WHL results

The UBetcha Senior AA Wildcats put a wrap on their season this past weekend in Niagara Falls.

Missing five regulars from the lineup, including both goaltenders, the Wildcats finished with a tie and two losses in tournament action.

Sharon Buehner and Lorie Springall scored once each while Jeanette Brody added a pair of assists in a 2-2 tie with Durham West.

Rookies Meredith Agliani and Michelle Koskela scored in a 3-2 loss to Brampton while goaltender Corilla Manitawabi, who allowed only six goals in three games, kicked aside all but one shot in a 1-0 loss to Oshawa.

The Wildcats complete a successful season that saw the team capture three tournament championships.

Members of this year's squad includes coaches Craig Coletti and Chris Stone; managers Jason Schryer and Ellen MacDougall; defence Karen Bell, Lorie Springall, Meredith Agliani, Carlee Lewis and Mallory McCormick along with forwards Cat Schryer, Ashley Driver, Sharon Buehner, Michelle Koskela, Erica Avery, Shannon Mashinter and Melissa Holder; goalies Deanna Boissonneau and Kim Raymond.

*** WHL REPORT:

Playoff action got underway this week with Country Way looking to improve their regular season championship into a playoff title.

The following is a complete look at the final regular season games and opening playoff action in the Women's Hockey League in week 12 provided courtesy of the WHL's Lorie Springall.

* WEEK # 12 - March 20th, 21st & 22nd

The league wrapped up its remaining games and began the playoffs in Week 12.

In their final three games, Source For Sports picked up one win, good enough for second spot in the final league standings. Skip's Kweok secured seventh and a playoff date with Source by winning one of their final two games. Lafarge sealed up sixth place and Crawford's Canines third, after each won their last game of the league schedule.

Christine Robertson had a goal and an assist in the Canine's 3-2 win over Source For Sports on Saturday. Heidi Frech and Elaine Angelic also scored for Crawford's. Stephanie Bean replied with both goals for Source. Teammate Heather Coutu had two assists and Karen Gartshore one.

In Source's second game of the weekend, they fell 5-2 to Skip's Kweok. Joanne Pine scored twice for Skip's, with Rosalea Boissoneau, Kyla Sewell and Trish Irvine each scoring singles. Mona Jones had both goals for The Source, unassisted. Marg Skulech played well in goal for Skip's, filling in for regular goalie, Marion Seymour.

In Source's third and final game, Julia Robertson scored the winner as they defeated Investors Group 2-1. Vern Sewell and Mona Jones had assists on the play. Leah-Anne Pine had Source's other marker. Shelli Ubriaco replied for Investors' with assists going to Patti Lutz and Deedee Watson.

The final regular season game between Lafarge and Skip's Kweok was a close affair as Lafarge squeaked out a 4-3 win. Suzie Sherrard notched two goals for Lafarge including the winner, while teammate Brenda Swystun had three assists.

Natalie King added a goal and one assist while Debbie "Bam Bam" Beauchamp scored once. Suzanne Dunn had one assist. Natalie Barry, Joanne Pine and Kyla Sewell each had a goal and an assist. Jo-Ann Jones also had one assist. Once again Marg Skulech did a fine job in net for Skip's.

* PLAYOFFS:

In an exciting start to this year's playoffs, three of the first four games were decided by one goal, including two overtime games. It made for a late night but well worth it as the teams entertained those in attendance with some exciting, intense hockey.

First place Country Way defeated Algoma Insurance 4-0 in the night's opener. Algoma played a strong offensive game but Country Way's defence was unbeatable. Lisa Venier had the shut out.

Kristy Kernaghen scored twice for the Granolas, while Christine Trivers had a goal and an assist. Denise "Deeter" Goldade also scored. Andrea Moraca and Krysten DiTommaso each had two assists and Nancy Pedatella, one.

Seventh place Skip's Kweok gave second place Source For Sports a scare in the night's second game. Kyla Sewell and Joanne Pine scored to give Skip's a 2-1 lead, but Source's Mona Jones evened the score with eight minutes remaining in regulation time.

The goalies took over from there, Marion Seymour in goal for Skip's and Laurie Terris for Source, stopping every shot they faced. It took four thrilling periods of overtime before Mona Jones scored on a breakaway to seal the win for Source For Sports. Leah-Anne Pine had the assist. Terris faced 32 shots for the win.

In the night's biggest upset, sixth place Lafarge defeated third place Crawford's Canines 2-1. Debbie "Bam Bam" Beauchamp, Suzanne Dunn and Michelle Walls each had two points in the win. Beauchamp and Dunn scored once and set each other up, while Walls assisted on both goals.

Laurie Terris played in goal for Lafarge's injured goalie, Nancy Dewling. She faced only 11 shots while at the other end Crawford's Teri Bonnell kicked aside 23 shots. Heidi Frech scored the Canine's only goal with Gillian Eccles and Barb Willoughby getting the assists.

Palmer Paving and Investors Group played perhaps the most exciting game of the evening, with each team fighting back from two goal deficits and then deciding things in overtime.

Palmer jumped out to a 2-0 lead on their first two shots of the game, but Investors battled back to lead 3-2 and later 5-3 with five minutes remaining in regulation time.

The Paving Crew strategically pulled goalie Carolyn Tomchuk with just over a minute remaining and with unbelievable effort, scored two goals before the final buzzer to send it to overtime.

Palmer's Debbie Desgagne scored the overtime winner with 55 seconds remaining in the first overtime period.

Desgagne had an outstanding game with two goals and three assists. Lisa Case, Lori Bonnell, Lori Swan and Amber Lahti also scored for Palmer Paving. Lahti's goal, her first of the season, was a big one, tying the game at 5 with only 13 seconds remaining. Doreen Shaw had two assists in the win.

Shelli Ubriaco led the way for Investors with two goals and two assists. Lisa Rowlinson had a goal and an assist, while Patti Lutz and Sara Fischer each scored once. Sharon Abrams had one assist.

Playoffs continue next week in Desbarats. Algoma Insurance will play Investors Group at 6:30pm. Skip's Kweok will meet Crawford's Canines at 7:30pm. Country Way faces off against Palmer Paving at 8:30pm and Source For Sports meets Lafarge at 9:30pm.

* STANDINGS:

End of Regular Season (wins-losses-ties-points)

Country Way 11-2-1-23 Source For Sports 9-4-1-19 Crawford's Canines 8-5-1-17 Palmer Paving 6-7-1-13 Investors Group 5-8-1-11 Lafarge 5-8-1-11 Skip's Kweok 5-8-1-11 Algoma Insurance 4-9-1-9