Lightning teams strike Gold in Newmarket
The Newmarket and District Ringette Association held their annual “Ignite the Ice” tournament over the Family Day weekend where two (2) Lightning teams struck Gold.
The U9-Price squad posted a perfect 3-0 record during round robin action while filling the net in the process. After defeating Barrie 10-3, Kitchener 11-5, and Oshawa 14-7; the Lightning met Markham in the gold medal final. The final was a matchup between the top two teams with the best goals against average where only one goal separated the two squads. However, Markham couldn’t stop the Lightning strikes as they found themselves trailing 5-1 after 10 minutes of play, and saw the Lightning skate away with a 10-3 victory and the Gold medal. Carlyn Joy and Eleni Anna Karailiadis led the Lightning and the division in scoring, finishing first and second overall respectively; with Brianna Zhao in 7th spot and Cayla Abikir, Nicole Pham, Erica Gale, and Patricia Casola tied for 9th spot in points.
The U19A-West team posted a 3 win, 1 loss record during round robin play, but had to wait for the outcome of the final round robin between Guelph and Oshawa to determine whether they would advance to the medal final. A Guelph win would knock the Lightning out, whereas an Oshawa win would see the Lightning advance. It was not looking good for the Lightning as Guelph held a 3-2 lead with time running out; however Oshawa scored twice in the final 2 minutes for a 4-3 win. The Oshawa win gave the Lightning a berth in the final against a strong Mitchell team looking to avenge their only loss during round robin play, a 2-1 decision courtesy of the Lightning. In the final, Mitchell took an early 1-0 lead which they carried into the final frame before the division scoring leaders, Lisette Schulz and Meg Casbourn, gave the Lightning a 2-1 lead. Mitchell came back to tie the score with 3-1/2 minutes remaining in regulation; however Lisette Schulz scored her second of the game with 1:14 remaining which the Lightning held for a 3-2 win and the gold medal.
Also playing in the Newmarket tournament were the U16B-Giordan and U14B-Mews teams. The U16B Lightning opened the tournament against the eventual gold medalists from West Muskoka that ended in a 1-1 tie. The Lightning was unable to advance to semi-final action despite scoring only one less goal than West Muskoka during round robin play. The U14B Lightning did manage to advance to semi-final action in their division, which was a rematch with a strong squad from Hanover. The Lightning was hoping to avenge the 2-1 loss incurred during round robin play and held a 1-0 lead going into the final frame of the semi final. However, the eventual silver medalists from Hanover scored 3 quick goals in the first minute of the final frame which they rode to the final horn to dash the Lightning’s dream of playing for Gold.
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