The Walkerton Larsen Bantam Girls participated in the International Silver Stick Tournament in Trenton on Feb 3-5. Walkerton entered the tournament as defending champs and were looking to bring the coveted stick back for another year.
In true international style,
Larsen’s tournament opener saw them face off against the Spartans from Lansing
Michigan. The true north would win this battle taking the game with a 3-0
score. All three of Walkerton’s goals were tallied in the second period. Joelle
Busby (2) and Julie Thomson were the scorers. Assists went to Melynda McKenzie,
Thomson and Busby. Cassidy Becker earned the shut out and Leah Kittel was game
MVP. Game two of the day saw North York as Larsen’s next opponent. Walkerton
played a strong game and skated off with a convincing 7-0 win. Scoring the
goals this time were Nicole Osborne (2), Busby(2), Maddy Wright, Kittel and
Thomson. Helpers were awarded to Busby(2), Jasmine Thompson (2), Thomson (2),
Maddy Wright (2), Monica Fritz (2), Dallas Fischer & Kittel. Becker was
once again a rock in net and Kittel took another MVP.
Next up for Larsen’s were Grey
Highlands Shooting Stars. The Walkerton “sisters” had to battle hard and dig
deep in this game. Their drive and determination prevailed as they earned a 2-0
win. Kittel and Osborne did the scoring with Thomson, Morgan Wright and Fritz
grabbing the assists. Cassidy Becker earned MVP honours. The final round robin
game pitted the girls against the Napanee Crunch. Walkerton secured first place
in their pool scoring a 5-0 win. Julie Thomson had a great game with 2 goals, 2
assists and MVP honours. Also scoring were Maddy Wright (2) and Thompson. Taya
Schipprack, Fritz and Maddy Wright assisted.
Grand River Mustangs
were Sunday morning’s semi- final opponent. Thomson opened the scoring in the
first assisted by Maddy Wright. The Mustangs evened the score at 1 later in the
period. Larsen’s were not to be denied as they scored 5 unanswered tallies to
take the game 6-1. Bending the twine were Maddy Wright(2), Kittel(2) and
Thompson. Assisting were Thomson(2), Osborne(2), Fischer and Maddy Wright. MVP
of this game was Melynda McKenzie.
On to the final,
Walkerton vs Grey Highlands once again. Larsen’s battled hard on both sides of
the red line. Kittel opened the scoring with a short handed unassisted marker.
Thomson would collect the next two goals, both assisted by Maddy Wright.
Walkerton would take the championship with a 3-0 victory. Cassidy Becker gained
her fifth shut out of the tournament and was awarded game MVP. Team defensive
play was very strong throughout the weekend, helping Cassidy were defensemen
Morgan Wright, Taya Schipprack, Dallas Fischer and Melynda McKenzie, forwards:
Ashley Ernst, Monica Fritz, Jasmine Thompson, Nicole Osborne, Leah Kittel,
Joelle Busby, Maddy Wright and Julie Thomson.
Congratulations girls
on a great tournament. Good luck in Lower Lakes and provincial playoffs.