U13A Find Silver Lining in Nepean
Over the weekend the Andre Purcell U 13 A Ice Boltz captured their second silver medal of the season in Nepean’s Do It For Daron Annual tournament. Having lost in the final of their previous tournament the girls found themselves back in a championship final.
The tournament started with back to back 3-0 wins on Friday against Pacific Coast High Performance out of British Columbia and Durham West. Maddy Purcell and Charli Campbell each with a shut out in nets.
In the opener the Boltz came out flying and seemed to catch the west coast team off guard. The Boltz strong attack and stifling defence resulted in the Boltz outshooting their opponents 45-7. Aliya Shank, Kaylee Bolton and Brooklyn McGowan led the charge with a goal and an assist each. Gianna Celebre, Cameron Culbert and Karlee Bolton each had an assist to round out the scoring.
In the afternoon affair the Boltz continued to limit their opponent’s opportunities and found the scoresheet on three occasions. Cameron Culbert let the charge with a goal and assist. Aliya Shank scored her second of the tourney and Ally Wilson rounded out the scoring. Karlee Bolton, Brooklyn McGowan and Katelyn Kowal each contributed with an assist.
Saturday morning the Boltz faced a undefeated Mississauga team looking to win the division. Midway through the first period Karlee Bolton found Peyton Kendrick in front of the net. Peyton made no mistake and deposited her wrist shot into the open cage to put the Boltz out front.
The lead was short lived as Mississauga scored on the power play to tie the game. It appeared the teams would go to the second period tied before Gianna Celebre won a faceoff back to the point and Karlee Bolton fired it over the goalie’s shoulder with 0.3 seconds remaining.
Leading 2-1 the Boltz seemed to carry the play for the remainder of the game; however, were unable to add to their lead. Maddy Purcell made several key saves in the final two periods to secure the Boltz 2-1 victory. Kaylee Bolton had two helpers and Emma Wood contributed one assist.
Off to the semis, as the number one seed, found the Boltz up against a familiar foe from their time in the OWHL league this year. Very familiar with their opponent the Boltz went to work offensively. Kaylee Bolton opened the scoring on the second shift of the game with a great individual effort out of the corner; beating the goalie with a backhand just over the glove side pad.
Three minutes later Quinn O’ Hagan sprung Aaliyah Hatheway from the defensive zone. Aaliya used her speed to create a 2 on 1 and her pass redirected off the defender and past the goalie. Seconds later Kaylee Bolton added to the lead when her wrist shot from the top of the circle seemed to fool the goaltender and find a way through.
Following a scoreless second period the Boltz added two more in the third. First Myla Rotondo scored her first of the tourney with a strong rush down the wing and found the back of the next with a wrist shot past the blocker.
Kaylee Bolton completed her hattrick with two minutes to play when she was sprung on a breakaway following a perfectly executed breakout. Kaylee made no mistake going bar down on the blocker side.
Gianna Celebre had three helpers in the effort while single assist went to Emma Wood, Zoe Dumont, Karlee Bolton and Myla Rotondo. Charli Campbell took the win in nets.
The finals meant a rematch with the Mississauga opponent from Saturday’s game. Much like the first game the teams put on a show. The Ice Boltz controlled the majority of the play throughout the first two period but could not capitalize until Aliya Shank let go a rocket from the top of the circle midway through the second period. The Boltz relentless forecheck continued to pin the Mississauga team in their end but to no avail the rest of the period.
Mississauga got on the board early in the third when they capitalized on a broken play beating Campbell over the blocker.
The Boltz responded and continued to pressure their opponents, but a stubborn Mississauga side hung on.
With two minutes remaining Kaylee Bolton was sprung on a short- handed breakaway after Gianna Celebre blocked a point shot. Before getting the shot away Bolton was taken down which was surely a penalty shot. Unfortunately, the referees thought otherwise and the teams played 4 on 4.
With 42 seconds remaining Mississauga sealed the Boltz fate when a puck that was dumped in took a huge bounce over an unlucky Campbell in nets. Although controlling the majority of the play the hockey gods had other plans for the Boltz.
Although disappointed the girl’s effort was deserving of the gold medal; however, sometimes the lessons learned are more important than the results.
The girls had a fantastic weekend on and off the ice and look forward to finishing out their OWHL league play and hopefully making some noise in the playoffs. The Boltz currently stand at 16-2-1 in league play.
This is the first year in the OWHL at the U13 level for the Ice Boltz. Traditionally, the girls at this level have participated in local competition in the NDHL loop against their male counterparts. The coaches, players and parents have appreciated the experience of participating in the female U13 A division. Being competitive and having some success against other teams in the A division has been a positive experience for the players and families. One they hope to continue for years to come.
The Andre Purcell U13 A Ice Boltz would to thank all of their sponsors; The Andre Purcell Team, Dr. Sabrina Giustra, PL Fitness, Caswell Resort, Griffith Bro’s, Taylor Maid, Dave’s Heating and Cooling and Capital Home Lending.
