submitted by Rob Davidson
For the second
consecutive playoff series, the Saugeen Maitland Midget Lightning AA’s had to battle
back to avoid elimination and continue their playoff run in the Southwest Lower Lakes League
postseason play. In the deciding
match versus the Bluewater Hawks on Sunday, the Lightning pulled out a 3-2 win. This left both teams
at 3 points as each team had a win and a tie. Playoff format require a 5 minute sudden death extra period followed by a shootout to determine a champion. In extra time, neither team could score and following the first three shooters they were still tied. It was rookie, Brooklyn Irwin who played the hero when she scored on her shootout attempt to lead the Lightning to the division championship. Goaltender, Stephanie Sluys had stopped the final 3 Bluewater shooters to preserve the win for Saugeen while Gina Murray also scored for the Lightning in the opening round of the shootout.
The Lightning will now advance to the Championship weekend tournament in Oshawa on April 3rd where they will play against the other three division winners to determine the overall Lower Lakes Champion. Saugeen will represent the Southwest Division and face the Ontario Central West winners, St. Catharines Chaos. In the other semi final, the Toronto Aeros will play the Eastern Ontario Champion Belleville Bearcats.
Scoring for the Lightning in the playoff series versus Bluewater were Brooklyn Irwin, Brittany Butcher, Laura Irwin and Laken Smith while assists were awarded to Butcher (2), Sara Gossell, Marcie Landman, Gina Murray, Georgia Ottewell and Laura Irwin.