“It’s been nice to see the girls get rewarded for all the dedication and the hours they put in this year,” said Head Coach Craig Hulsman. “Dealing with the COVID break over the new year, I think that convinced a lot of other people to give up but these girls really stayed with it. They’ve done a ton of work off the ice, with fitness and nutrition. It’s just nice to see it all pay off for them.”
The team won the quarter-final playoff game against the Barrie Sharks 3-1 on March 26 at home. Scoring for the Ice Kats were Lizzie Temple, Grace Plunkett (2), Addie Moher. Assists by Moher, Liv Clark, MacKenna Hancock (2), Addie Hulsman, Cece Beaulne was in net.
On March 31, the Ice Kats hosted the semi-final game against the Oakville Hornets, with the 4-1 win going to Peterborough. Scoring for the Ice Kats were Moher, Hancock, Beatrice Jarbeau, Plunkett. Assists by Temple, Plunkett, Sophie Wright, Hancock and Piper Crump. Beaulne was in net.
The Championship game was played April 2 in Etobicoke. The U13 A Ice Kats took on the Lakeshore Lightning and won 1-0. Goal by Jarbeau, assisted by Lily Latchford. Beaulne had the shut out.
“We had to win three in a row to win the championship, so the girls put a lot of effort into making sure they were ready to play because if they weren’t, it could have ended pretty quick,” he said. “They did that three times in a row. They prepared really well and then performed really well and to do that three times in a row is difficult but they were able to rise to the challenge.”
The team is heading to Toronto on Thursday to compete for the OWHL Provincial Championship.
“We’ve got tough teams to play, we’re playing the best teams in the province so every game is a challenge but we’re really excited to see all the work they’ve put in pay off.”
