The Larsen Bantam girls are on fire! They have earned the right to compete at the Provincial Championship tournament at Mississauga in mid April. They are also competing in the third round of the Lower Lakes playdowns.
In Provincial play, Walkerton faced five other teams in a round robin format to determine who would go to the Championships in April. The first game was played against the South Huron Sabres. The Sabres took an early 2-0 lead in the first period, but the Capitals responded with six straight goals to take a commanding lead. South Huron managed a late goal in the third to make the final score 6-3 for Walkerton. Caps goals were scored by Maddy Wright (2), Joelle Busby (2), Julie Thomson and Faith Yensen. Helpers went to Thomson (3), Busby, Leah Kittel and Monica Fritz. Next up for Larsens were the Goderich Sailorettes. Once again Walkerton fell behind in the first period by a goal. This time the Caps responded with 4 straight goals to win 4-1. Walkerton tallies went to Thomson, Emily Daurio, Kailee Liesemer and Kittel. Assists went to Nicole Osborne and Yensen.
The Capitals next took their 2-0 record into Stratford to face a team who had played BB all year. Walkerton did not know what to expect but they came out full of energy and dominated their opponents winning 6-0. Maddy Wright earned the hat trick, with Liesemer, Busby and Kittel scoring the others. Busby had 2 assists, singles went to Shelby Fortney, Liesemer, Wright and Kittel. Alyssa Inglis earned the shut out. The next team to face the Caps were the Milverton Royals. With a 3-0 record Walkerton had already clinched a berth at the Provincial Tourney but were determined to improve on their record. When the final buzzer had sounded, the clock showed a 5-1 win for the Caps. Lighting the lamp for Larsens were Carlee Beitz, Destiny Berberich, Busby, Fortney and Liesemer. Assists were earned by Kittel (2), Alyssa Becker, Busby, Berberich, Osborne, Lisemer and Fortney. The final OWHA round robin game saw the Caps travel to Mitchell to face the Meteors. Larsens prevailed once again with a 2-0 victory. Inglis was solid between the pipes grabbing the shutout. Wright popped both goals, assisting her were Kittel (2), Liesemer and Daurio.
The girls have been busy of late as they are also competing in the Lower Lakes playoffs. Walkerton had a fantastic season finishing first in the SouthWest division earning them a first round bye. The second round saw Walkerton face the Milverton Royals who had defeated Mount Forest. The Capitals won the series 2 games straight with scores of 2-1 and 3-0. Inglis earned yet another shutout in game 2. Scorers for the Caps were Wright(2), Kittel (2) and Osborne. Making fine passes were Osborne (2), Busby (2), Kittel (2), Becker, Yensen and Fritz. Walkerton will now face South Huron in round 3 with the winner advancing to the Lower Lakes Championship weekend in April.
Way to go girls!! Your enthusiasm, commitment and love for the game are contagious! You should be proud of your accomplishments so far this season. Keep up the great work!