Nov 05, 2013 | vmighton | 436 views
Bantams Face Tough Competition In Detroit
The SML Bantam AA's travelled Stateside last weekend to compete in the Bauer World Invite Hockey Tournament, and faced some stiff competition along the way.
The first game saw the Bantams take on Team Illinois, and even though the Lightning suffered from some travel legs throughout the game, they managed a win in a "not so pretty" fashion.
Team Illinois started the scoring late in the first ending the frame up 1 - 0 on the Bantams. The Lightning finally struck mid way through the second, as Aleya Murray found the mesh, on a pass from Delayna Smith. Jennelle Smeltzer would finish the second period with a goal with just 11 seconds left, assisted by Kailee Hewitt, The 3rd period saw Smeltzer net her second of the game to finish it off as a 3 - 1 win for the Lightning. Hewitt and Aleya Murray picked up the assists.
Game 2 for the Lightning matched the Bantams against a top Lower Lakes team in the Etobicoke Dolphins 99's. This game proved to be a much better effort for the Lightning, and some amazing saves by KC Chagnon kept the game tight. The Dolphins would find the net first with 28 seconds left in the 1st to go ahead 1 - 0, but the Lightning would tie it up on a Bryanna Campbell unassisted goal shortly into the 2nd period. Etobicoke would keep the pressure on and find the net 3 more times to go ahead 4 - 1 before Campbell would get her second of the game with a minute left in the frame to end the 2nd with the Lightning down 4 - 2. Assist goes to Delayna Smith. The 3rd period saw end to end action and some great opportunities, but it was Etobicoke who got the only goal of the 3rd to win the game 5 - 2.
The third game for the Bantams was against another top team in the Lower Lakes. This time the Aurora Panthers would score 1 goal in each period to beat the Lightning 3 - 0.
The Bantams would then take on the Oshawa Lady Generals in a rough and tumble match on Sunday. It was a physical match from start to finish, and another incredible game in net by KC Chagnon for the Bantam Lightning. Neither team could find an inch to pop in a goal, and the first 2 periods ended in a scoreless tie. With very little time left, it looked like the game would end that way, but after some frustrating penalty "non-calls", and a game that seemed to be anything but friendly, it was Morgan Murray who put the game on ice for the Lightning with just 35.5 seconds left to take the win. Bryanna Campbell got the assist on the winning goal.
That would give the Bantams a 2 and 2 record on the weekend, which was not quite enough to move them to quarter final play. Some strong physical games were played, and a "never give up" attitude has emerged from the Bantam team.
Next action for the Lightning Bantams is this Saturday, November 9th in Howick. Join us as we say "Thanks" to our sponsors, family and friends on our 4th Annual Sponsor Appreciation Day! Hope to see you there!!!