The Township of Chatsworth Desboro Tire Novice C Rebels (aka, The Mighty 9) went undefeated this weekend winning four games to earn the WOAA Maroon Division Championship Title
The Rebels first round robin game was at 8 am on Saturday, March 24 against the Kincardine Kinucks Novice C in Lucknow. The game was back and forth with Rebels taking an early 2-0 lead in the first period with Sophie King scoring the first goal (assisted by Mikayla Greenaway and Scarlett Jackson). Bree Wilkins netted the next goal with an assist from Ellie Shouldice. In the second period, Sophie King scored again to make the Rebels lead 3-0. Moments later, Avery Boulton from the Kinucks responded with a goal and the second period ended with the score 3-1. In the third period, the Kinucks turned on the jets and scored another goal and put pressure on the Rebels. But, the Rebels held on to win the game 3-2.
Later in the morning, the Rebels faced the Walkerton Capitals in Ripley for game 2 of round robin play. The Rebels took the lead with Bree Wilkins scoring an unassisted breakaway goal early in the game. Seconds later, the Capitals responded with an unassisted goal from Kelsey Lacrosse to tie the game 1-1. But, moments later, Ellie Shouldice scored another goal for the Rebels in the first period with an assist from Rory Jex to bring the score 2-1 for the Rebels. The score remained untouched throughout the second period until midway through the third period when Wilkins sealed the deal for the Rebels with another unassisted breakaway goal to make the final score 3-1.
On Sunday, March 25, the Rebels faced off against the first placed league ranked team the Owen Sound Ice Hawks at 9 am in Wingham. This was an intense battle between the two teams with plenty of shots being fired for both teams. Spectacular saves were made by goaltenders on both teams. Midway through the 2nd period, Mylee Snyder sneaked a wrap-around goal with an assist from Scarlett Jackson past the Owen Sound Goalie. The Rebels managed to hang onto the lead to win the game 1-0. Shut out win for goaltender Chloe Stephen!
With the lead from round robin play, the Rebels advanced to the Championship Final to face the Kincardine Kinucks who were 2nd in the round robin pool. Both teams were hungry for the win but it was the Rebels who made it onto the board first when Sophie King intercepted a pass from the Kinucks and quickly fired it in the net. Sophie King followed up this goal a few minutes later in the second period with an unassisted goal to give the Rebels a 2-0 lead. With one minute left in the second period, Kincardine was awarded a penalty shot. Goaltender Chloe Stephen was solid in net and made the important save to keep Kincardine off the board. Both teams battled hard on the ice and kept the fans on the edge of their seats. With 4:22 left in the third period, Aera Armstrong for the Kinucks finally netted one to bring the score 2-1. This fueled both teams to step up their game and in the last minute of the game the Kinucks pulled their goalie which gave Sophie King an opportunity to complete her hat trick with an empty net goal to bring the final score 3-1.
What a great tournament for this group of young ladies who showed how mighty this team of NINE can be!!!!!! Congratulations and best wishes for success at your upcoming OWHA provincial tournament!!!!