Apr 15, 2012 | Howie Pruden | 1882 views
Great run in Provincials
Saugeen Lightning finished their season with a win, tie and loss missing the playoff rounds by a point. Needing a win in Saugeen's last game against Etobicoke Saugeen scored with 5 minutes to play to be down by one. With under 2 minutes left Saugeen pulled the goaltender but Etobicoke scored the empty net to end the Lightning's season. A tie would have resulted in a three way tie for first and Saugeen would have lost the tie breaker.
Game one- Saugeen played Friday morning against Division winner Stony Creek . After a scoreless first period Saugeen opened the scoring when Amy Hepburn broke in on the Sabre net with assists going to Olivia Linklater and Kara Hatton. The Sabres scored with 5 minutes left to even the scored at 1. Amy Hepburn scored her second in the third to take a lead assisted by Aryn Buchanan and Mallory Hussey. 2 shifts later the Sabres again tied the score. With the Sabres buzzing around the net Saugeen called a time out with a minute to play. Saugeen moved the puck to the Sabres end and Sam Pruden blocked a clearing attempt and passed to Mel Nolan who scored with 11 seconds to play to end the game with a great victory for the Lightning. Amy Hepburn picked up an asisst to go with her 2 goals.
Erica Parker played an outstanding game for the win.
Game two - Saugeen took on Oshawa Friday night and started off penned in their end for the first 4 minutes. After a time out Saugeen settled down but the Generals opened the scoring. Saugeen responded 2 minutes later on a rush by Mel Nolan who deked out the Oshawa goalie assisted by Mallory Hussey. Oshawa went ahead in the second but Saugeen responded with the equalizer early in the third. Mel Nolan scored her second going top shelf assisted by Jenah Van Loon. With great chances by both teams Saugeen appeared to score with less than a minute to play when Amy Hepburn batted in a rebound but was ruled high stick and ruled no goal. End result 2-2.
Emma Bluhm had many excellent saves to keep Saugeen in the game especially early in the game. Great job!
Game three- After learning that Oshawa had won Saugeen need a win as a tie would result in a 3 way tie for first and the 5th tie breaker showed that we would be out. Etobicoke opened the scoring in the first. The second period was overtaken by the refs where Saugeen was assessed 6 penalties to none for Etobicoke and Saugeen played 6 minutes with a 5 on 3. Etobicoke scored once on a 5 on 3 to take a 2 goal lead. A game misconduct left Saugeen with 3 D. With 5 minutes to play Amy Hepburn continued her hot streak by getting Saugeen within one. Assists went to Jenah Van Loon and Brie Becker. Saugeen called time out and pulled the goaltender with less than 2 minutes to get the equalizer and the Dolphins scored with 14 seconds to take the game.
Erica Parker again played fantastic as Saugeen played the whole second period short handed.
Saugeen played 18 minutes of the 36 minutes in the game short handed on some brutal calls. End result 3-1 Etobicoke. It was disappointing to have to spend most of the game on the PK as we lost the offensive flow.
A great effort to end the season and thanks to all the players for your effort this year. You were an awesome team to coach. Thanks to the parents for all your help this year in tournaments , practises and games. It would not have happened without your help and encouragement. Thanks to the trainers and coaches for your patience, time, efforts and love of the game.
Good luck next year! Let's go Lightning....Howie