Aces fell short in Oakville, set for provincials

Luck has run out for the Stratford U18 AA Humphrey Fleet Service Aces as they lost Game 3 of the OWHA-Southern Tier-II Championship semi-final to the Oakville Hornets on March 27.

With the berth in the championship game against the Markham-Stoufville Stars at stake, the two teams were tied at two points each after both settling for a draw in the first two games (both 3-3).

Oakville opened the scoring 5:33 into the first period after a scramble in front of the Aces' net. Stratford tried to find an equalizer late in the first period but couldn't beat Oakville netminder Jasmine Morelli during the power play.

The Hornets doubled their lead with 46.1 remaining in the period when the shot slid past Stratford netminder Sloan Cameron's pads. During the carryover from a late-period powerplay, the Hornets capitalized 20 seconds into the second period to make it 3-0. Following the goal, Cameron was replaced in net by Callie Aldridge.

Stratford finally solved Morelli at 5:44 thanks to the goal from Myla Macey, reducing the deficit to 3-1. However, the Aces' momentum was short-lived as the Hornets delivered the decisive blow with 6:31 remaining in the second period.

As the game progressed, the Aces continued to create scoring chances but were thwarted by Morelli's performance. The Hornets added another goal late in the third period with an empty-net goal, securing their spot in the OWHA-Southern Tier-II Championship on March 28. Oakville ultimately defeated the Stars 2-1 to claim the championship at Westwood Arena in Toronto.

Postgame, Aces head coach Sean Cameron expressed pride in the team's effort and progress during the season, emphasizing their surprising playoff run despite the outcome.

“Yeah, all the credit to Oakville. They played a really good game, and you know what, we were just talking in the dressing room, and the hockey gods just weren't on our side today. But I'm proud of that crew,” Cameron said.

“They battled all year long … Jan. 1, if we had told you we would have taken Saugeen to three games to win, taking Kitchener three games to win, and taken Oakville to three games, none of us probably would have believed it. So I'm proud of the effort. Not the result we wanted, but overall, incredibly proud.”

Next up for the Aces is taking part in the OWHA U18 Provincials in Etobicoke’s Westwood Arena and Mississauga’s Iceland Arena from April 9-12. In the round robin, the Aces will compete in Pool E with the Durham West Lightning, Ancaster Avalanche and the Sudbury Lady Wolves.

“We've got exactly 13 days to get ready for it. So we start on Thursday (April 9) and got a good draw. So we're really looking forward to it, and that's our next move is to go on to provincials. So 13 days to prepare, and we start first thing tomorrow afternoon, practice, and get ready to go,” Cameron said.

Stratford begins its round-robin games on April 9, facing Durham at the Westwood Arena. If they move forward, the subsequent rounds – including the bronze and gold medal matches – will take place at the Iceland Arena in Mississauga on April 11 for the quarter and semi-finals, and on April 12 for the finals.

Stratford Aces vs. Oakville Hornets (OWHA-Southern Tier II Consolation Championship Semifinals)

Game 1 – Aces 3 Hornets 3

Game 2 – Hornets 3 Aces 3

Game 3 – Aces 1 Hornets 5

Oakville wins series 1-0-2

Stratford Aces OWHA U18AA Provincials Round Robin Pool E Schedule

April 9 - Stratford s. Durham West (Westwood Arena - Etobicoke) 5:45 p.m.

April 10 - Sudbury vs. Stratford (Westwood Arena - Etobicoke) 12 p.m.

April 10 - Ancaster vs. Stratford (Westwood Arena - Etobicoke) 8:15 p.m.