The Saugeen Maitland Lightning (SML) Peewee A girls played a hard fought game on
Sunday, November 9 on home
ice, against the Chatham Outlaws. After their first meeting in October in
Chatham, which ended in a 1-1 tie, both teams came out strong in the first
period. Intense battles by the centerwomen Tori Verbeek and Natalie Fischer,
along with wingers Allison Stevenson, Jaydn Williams, Marissa VanderPloeg and
Aalia Gade, took place along the boards. Both teams made drives to the net and
set up some great scoring chances. Both goalies were solid through the first, making several saves, with the
Chatham goalie seeing and stopping more shots. The period ended in a scoreless
tie.
The second period was very similar. The girls continued their defensive grit in the corners, with defensive players Landis King, Sydney McAsh, Emma Lindsay, Rylynn Sinclair and Taylor Neil, digging the puck out and trying to create more chances. Despite SML continuing to control the puck for most of the second period, the scoring chances for both teams meant more steady saves by both goalies. The scoreboard reflected another scoreless period.
Both teams came out hungry for victory in the third period but Chatham player Emma Doom was the scorer of the only goal in the game at 3:36. Chatham player Resse Parks created an opportunity for SML to score by taking a hooking penalty beside their own net at 1:43. SML unfortunately could not capitalize on their power play, but had a few more great scoring chances in the final minutes of the game. Head Coach Dan Sinclair and Assistant Coach Jamie Lindsay (with Trainer Karisa Downey) pulled goalie Rose Pande (partner to game alternating goalie Marissa Cottingham), after a very strong performance. Despite pressuring Chatham in the final minutes, with great passing and hard attempts to put the puck in, Chatham's lone goal was the game winner. Despite it being SML's first loss in the regular season, it was a well-played battle! Lightning will strike again!
Submitted by Cheryl Lindsay