Red Devil girls skate to WOSSAA A/AA hockey silver, Bombers take bronze

Ingersoll’s Ainsley McCartney (left) drew a penalty for interference on Stratford’s Ashley Van Straaten on this play, behind the St. Mike’s Warriors goal. (Jeff Tribe photo)

Jeff Tribe, Echo Correspondent

Woodstock CI Red Devils girls hockey coach Lindsay McCoy would have preferred Western Ontario Secondary Schools Athletics Association (WOSSAA) A/AA gold to silver.

But she could not have asked anything more from a hard-working, talented, driven and cohesive team which left everything it had on the ice.

“It’s not the one we wanted,” McCoy said of a 5-2 championship loss to defending Ontario Federation of Schools Athletic Association (OFSAA) champion Stratford St. Mike’s Warriors on March 10 at London’s Stronach Arena. “But an accomplishment, nonetheless.

“They should hold their heads high. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

The Warriors broke open a 2-2 tie with three unanswered third-period goals, Jayda Hoyben, Abigayle VanBekel and Emerson Miller (on the power-play) scoring at the 4:28, 7:09 and 10:03 marks of the (15-minute) frame, respectively. St. Mike’s had also opened scoring 4:51 into the contest, a marker countered by WCI’s Jillian Trepanier 1:44 later, unassisted. The Warriors went out to a 2-1 lead with 7:59 left in the first period, a lead which stood until the 7:22 mark of the second, when Red Devils veterans Lucy Waite (goal) and Alex McDonald (assist) connected to pull WCI even at two.

“I love high-intensity, great games,” said McDonald, who faced out-of-school hockey teammates on a large, physical Warriors squad which could collectively skate well. “It was such a good game to match up.”

“It was such a fun season,” added Waite, along with McDonald, two of six graduating veterans who have been with the team all four of their high school seasons. The Red Devils have always gotten along through that span, said Waite, connecting quickly regardless of age. “Ever since Grade 9, it was a fun team and an inclusive team.”

Obviously, Waite would have preferred a gold medal; however, was appreciating finishing 8-0 in league play and winning two playoff series to take the Thames Valley Regional Athletics Southeast title before adding a WOSSAA silver.

“It was a great accomplishment to get that far.”

The Red Devils had opened their WOSSAA draw with a comfortable 10-1 win over the London South Lions, breaking open a 2-0 lead with six second-period goals. Megan Atkinson paced a balanced attack with two goals and an assist, McDonald added a goal and two helpers, Emma Holme, Natalia Thomson, Eden Fraser, Paige Kilgou, Hallie Turpin and Makenna Barron had a goal and an assist each, while Layla Graham (3) and Whitney Fraser contributed assists.

“We’re the dirty goal players, we get the rebounds,” said Turpin.

“We get the garbage goals,” Barron agreed with a smile.

The two Grade 10s shared a ‘line hat-trick’ based on a simple theory, along with the Grade 11 Holme, who also plays at the junior women’s level on a team out of Windsor.

“We see Emma, we pass it, the world stops for a second, and she goes and gets to the net,” Barron laughed.

“We really play well together,” added Turpin. “This team has really good chemistry.”

Holme was among those ‘excited’ to face St. Mike’s in the WOSSAA final.

“I feel it’s a very doable game,” she said, a prediction borne out in how the contest played out. The Red Devils had held their own against a fast and physical opponent, according to McCoy, tied 2-2 after two periods.

“It could have gone either way,” McCoy said, looking back on a WOSSAA silver medal season her girls should be proud of.

“It’s a huge accomplishment for them.”

WOSSAA A/AA Bronze Medal Game

Ingersoll DCI 6, London South 1

“It was fantastic,” said Ingersoll DCI Blue Bombers coach Aaron Steenholdt of a bronze medal victory over the Lions. “I think they brought their best performance to the game.”

The Blue Bombers had opened their draw against St. Mike’s, trailing 3-1 after two periods before ultimately dropping a 4-1 decision. Brooklyn Janzen scored IDCI’s goal, assisted by Charlotte Baker. Miller had two goals and an assist for the Warriors, Niahm Appel and Jule Cameron adding single goals.

Ingersoll rebounded in the bronze medal final, however, taking what went into the books as a 6-1 decision.

“I was proud of the girls for rising up to a level I don’t think I’ve seen from them previously,” said Steenholdt.

He gave high marks to both the team’s goalies for playing well at WOSSAA, as well as during the regular season. Charlotte Docherty got the start in game one, and Grade 12 veteran Jolene Allair backstopped the Bombers to their WOSSAA bronze.

“They peaked at just the right time.”

It had been a great season both on and off the ice Steenholdt concluded, a group which got along, was always happy and excited to play, and put together a solid effort when it counted most.

“It was a fun day and great way to wrap up the year. Everyone was really at their best.”