The Huron Heat Atom B team brought the ‘heat’ to the ‘chill’ at this past weekend’s ‘Winter Chill’ tournament in Flamborough. The girls were playing up in a BB division facing teams from Niagara, Orangeville, and home town Flamborough. The girls came out strong in their first game against the Flamborough Falcons. The girls were holding their own until a deflect off the ref’s skate provided an easy shot to give the Falcon’s a 1-0 lead with only 13.2 seconds left in the first.
The Heat turned it up in the second period with a goal from Dunbar (Destiny Dunbar), assisted by A-Rad (Ashley Radford) and Pummer (Emily Plumsteel). Both teams played well but nether were able to send one home and the game ended in a 1-1 tie. Player of the game went to A-Rad (Ashley Radford).
Game 2 had the Heat facing Niagara Rapids. Both teams were hard on the puck and were battling for a goal. The first period ended with no goals. The Rapids snuck one out from under the pads in the second to make it 1-0. Larry (Lerissa Stevenson) was putting on the pressure and forced the Rapids to two separate tripping penalties, however the Heat couldn’t get one by the Rapid’s very strong goalie. Player of the game went to our goalie, Gooser (Carley Goos).
Game 3 saw the Heat taking on the top ranked team in the tournament, the Orangeville Tigers. The Tigers came out fast and strong, forcing the Heat to ramp up their level of play. Although the Heat played hard, they were unsuccessful and took a 3-0 loss against the Tigers forcing them into a 4th place finish in round robin. This meant that the Heat would again play the Orangeville Tigers in the semi-finals. Player of the game went to defender, Clyde (Morgan Marks).
In the semi-final game against the 1st place round-robin team, Orangeville Tigers, the Heat went out their to win it. Both teams played hard and the Heat was able to match the Tiger’s in speed and passing. The Heat struck first, while on a power play, when A-Rad (Ashley Radford) shot one by the goalie unassisted. The Tigers didn’t take long to tie it up, ending the first period a 1-1 tie. The Heat kept the pressure on in the second, forcing the Tigers to another tripping penalty but despite the power play, they weren’t able to take the advantage. However, in the third period A-Rad (Ashley Radford), taking a nice pass from Plummer (Emily Plumsteel) was able to take the lead, slapping one by their goalie with 8.25 minutes left in the game. From then on the Heat was on the defense. Gooser and her defense, as well as the back checking forwards worked hard to shut down the Tigers and eliminate any opportunity to score. The Tigers called a timeout with 1.32 left in the third, pulling their goalie and adding a defender. With six against five and the pressure mounting, the Heat was able to clear the puck from their end and forced the Tigers to work hard to defend their empty net. In the end, the Heat was just too hot for the Tigers and the Heat knocked Orangeville from the tournament, earning themselves a spot in the finals against the home town, Flamborough Falcons.
In the final game Sunday morning, the Flamborough Falcons had their home town fans but they couldn’t beat the Heat’s cheering section. Both teams came out hard and played well through the scoreless first period. Syd the Kid (Syndey Kootstra) took a tripping penalty late in the second but the Falcons weren’t able to capitalize on it. Shortly after returning to full strength, A-Rad (Ashley Radford) took it down to the Falcon’s end, taking a hard shot on net. The goalie made a great pad save but Carl (Carly DeJong) was ready and waiting for the rebound and was able to shoot it by the goalie. The Heat was leading 1-0 after the second. Syd the Kid (Sydney Kootstra) was waiting for redemption for the penalty call in the second and she did not disappoint as the puck was passed around the Falcon’s end from Larry (Lerissa Stevenson) to defense Clyde (Morgan Marks) who took a hard shot on net. Syd the Kid (Sydney Kootstra) was waiting for the rebound and lifted it over the goalie’s shoulder, putting the Heat in the lead 2-0. The Falcon’s, starting to feel the ‘heat’, went on the offense and was able to slip one by to make it a 2-1 game. Although both teams played hard, the Falcon’s just couldn’t get another one by our defense, Coups (Emmi Coups), Georgie (Ava Strome), Bonnie (Cassie Elliott), or Clyde (Morgan Marks) and of course our goalie, Gooser (Carley Goos). The Heat Atom B team turned up the ‘heat’ when they needed and got the job done, taking home GOLD in the this fast action tournament. Our forwards, A-Rad (Ashley Radford), Larry (Lerissa Stevenson), Mal (Mallory Meyer), Carl (Carley DeJong), Syd the Kid (Sydney Kootstra), Dunbar (Destiny Dunbar), and Plummer (Emily Plumsteel) showed their strength with digging for the puck, passing, and back checking. This team really pulled together and worked hard as a team. Way to go girls!