Heartbreaking loss has bronze lining
Only a few hours after experiencing the heartbreak of defeat, the St. Catharines Brock Jr. Badgers bounced back to capture the bronze medal at the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA) Novice B Provincial Championships.
With a strong regular season, the Badgers headed into the OWHA tournament with an overall record in league play of 33-0-1.
As one of four No. 1 seeds, the team went undefeated in pool play, defeating the Scarborough Sharks 2-1, the Brampton Canadettes 3-1 and the Waterloo Ravens 2-1.
In the quarter-finals, the Badgers shut out the Nepean Wildcats 3-0.
St. Catharines met its match in the semifinals, going head-tohead with the undefeated North Simcoe Capitals.
With the game tied at 1-1 at the end of regulation, the Badgers and the Capitals fought it out in overtime. The Capitals clinched their berth into the gold medal game, scoring in double overtime in the 2-1 win.
After the disappointing setback, the Badgers battled back to defeat the South Huron Sabres 3-2 and secure the bronze medal in the novice B division.
The Capitals defeated the Oshawa Lady Generals 5-0 in the finals, winning the OWHA championships.
In addition to the bronze at provincials, the Badgers won one tournament gold and settled for two silvers over the course of the season, as well as winning the Lower Lakes Female Hockey League Championship. They finished the entire season with a record of 53-4-2-1.
The team, which is part of the St. Catharines Female Hockey Association, includes Addison Allen, Alayna Bell, Aubrey Crich, Madelyn DesRoches, Danica Falkowski, Claire Fenwick, Grace James, Macie Lagrotteria, Kendra Lariviere, Mia McAdam, Mia (Beasty) McCready, Gaby Oakes, Rylan Poirier, Ella Schmidt and Mia Vanderspek.
Craig Bell, Jeff Crich, Tom DesRoches, Paula Lagrotteria and Pat McCready are the coaches.