THUNDER BAY -- The Tournament Centre was filled with action once again this weekend as the 25th annual Thunder Bay Women’s Hockey Association's Chill Hockey Tournament.
This year’s event brought together teams with players as young as 4-years-old and upwards of 17-years-old. This stellar all girls tournament saw players from across Northwestern Ontario from Marathon/Longlac to Kenora.
“Sporting events are an excellent way for young women to excel both on and off the ice. This weekend is about the hard work the girls have done to get here. Girls learn quickly that teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success” said Kasey Etreni, Chill co-chair. “Hockey is just as much about learning life lessons as it is about learning the sport”.
The atom division championship game saw Thunder Bay Hornets beat out Thunder Bay Thunderwolves 3-2 in a crowd-pleasing action packed game.
Olivia Vinet scored the first goal with a hard pass from Ava Burke at the 6:49 mark in the first period to start the scoring for the Thunderwolves.
Hornets came back quickly with a smooth pass from Sophia Campagna to Grace Dorey to tie up the game.
The 2nd period was the most exciting of the game as another quick goal at 9:38 by Vinet put the Thunderwolves up on the board.
Hornets were not going to sit back though scoring 2 quick goals around the 2-minute mark in the second to go ahead. Goals by Ella Ferris and Morgan Beranz ensured the win for the Hornets 3-2.
The bantam division championship play was intense. Thunder Bay Tigers narrowly beat Fort Frances Goonies to take the cup.
Tigers Julia Curtis scored 2 goals in the first period to quickly go up 2-0.
Goonies came back with a great pass from Teagan Mosbeck to Jerzie Calder who buried it in the net to close the gap in the 2nd.
Goaltender Gracie Auld would have her hands full in the 3rd trying to keep the Tigers in the lead.
Last chance effort by Goonies with 5 seconds left saw a puck just miss the top corner of Auld’s net, securing Tigers the win 2-1.
In Midget action, the game was so back and forth, the fans were on the edge of their seats.
Lake of the Woods team “The Boiiis” beat Thunder Bay Bears 3-1 in the championship game.
The first period saw no goals but goalies Amarence Kanakakeesic of the Bears and Faith Reed of The Boiiis had their hands full.
The scoreboard was lit up in the 2nd with Mac Cambly of the Bears scoring the first goal of the game to put Bears up 1-0.
Goals by Katelyne Stendlund and Mariah White at the end of the 2nd and beginning of the third put the Boiiis up 2-1.
Securing the win with a goal at the 3:54 min mark was Alyssa Turcotte.
