by Paul Nixon
The Walkerton Capitals Midget Rep Girls began their Lower Lakes Female Hockey League (LLFHL) Playoffs on the road on Sunday, February 10th, when they travelled to Kent County (Dresden) to battle the hometown Fillies.
The girls showed no
rust from their recent tournament win at the Silverstick and cruised to a 4-1
victory. They jumped on the Fillies
early in the first when Joelle Busby scored from Julie Thomson. Late in the first Thomson notched the second
goal of the game, which turned out to be the winner from Janelle Weber. The Capitals pumped in two more goals in the
second to build a 4-0 lead heading into the third. Lauren McLean and Missy Adams were the
snipers with Weber, Busby, and Melynda McKenzie picking up assists. Jessica Mullins of the Fillies spoiled Alyssa
Inglis shut out late in third.
The Capitals were at
home on Saturday, February 16th at 2:30 p.m., and stomped the Fillies 2-0. This game was never in doubt with the
Capitals controlling the majority of the game.
The first period ended scoreless with the Capitals generating a number
of scoring chances. Early in the second
period Destiny Berberich darted down the left wing after a loose puck through
the neutral zone into the Fillies end.
The Fillies goalie left her net and tried to beat Berberich to the puck but
was unsuccessful as Berberich tipped the puck around her and slid the puck into
the yawning cage. Adams and Rebecca Rier
assisted on the goal. Midway through the
second Thomson took a pass from Busby and dangled down the left side in on the Fillies
defence. Thomson deked out the
defenceman and rifled a shot low on the glove side to give the Capitals a 2-0
lead heading into the third period. The
Fillies mounted some scoring chances in the third but Inglis was solid in the
net and made some key saves to preserve the win and the shutout.
The Capitals advance
to the semi-finals of the LLFHL Playoffs and battle the first place Lakeshore
Lightning (Essex) on Saturday, February 23rd in Essex.