Written by Cheryl Kuntz
Walkerton’s Atom Knights played Kincardine on February 18. The girls were eager for the match up as their last meeting ended in a 1-1 tie.
The girls kept up with the play, skated hard and played their positions well but were defeated 4-O.
Their next match up was against South Huron. They had played them once before in a tournament and knew they were in for a battle. On home ice, the team had many chances as they charged the net but were unable to put the puck past the opposing team’s outstanding goalie. The game ended in a 4-0 loss for Walkerton.
The next day the team traveled to South Huron and the girls were determined to demonstrate what they were made of. Leah Kittel opened the scoring in the first period with a high shot that blasted over the goalie’s shoulder. Jenah Van Loon assisted her. Not to be outdone, South Huron retaliated and the first period ended in a 1-1 tie.
In the second period the play was back and forth. The defensive team of Monica Fritz, Natalie Hawkins, Mylenda McKenzie and Emily Cormack shut down South Huron’s offence. Once again the girls had many chances but were unable to score.
The third period was much the same with fast skating, lots of back checking and chances on net. Late in the period , Joelle Busby scored on a perfectly executed break away play, right off the bench with a hard shot that dribbled in behind the goalie. Unfortunately South Huron scored two more and once again into the empty net in the last seconds of the game. The final score was 4-2. However, the coaching staff felt the team played their best game to date in the provincial play downs. Kudos go out to goal tender Charlene Sullivan and the rest of the team members: Jenna Haight, Michelle Bester, Jasmine Thompson, Arianne Beglaw, Ashley Ernest and Madison Elliott (who is on the injured list). Their next match up is against Mitchell on March 1 and 2.