This past weekend, the U13 Fury had the tremendous opportunity to represent Thunder Bay in the OWHA Provincials and they did not disappoint with their admirable display of heart and effort!
Game 1: St. Mary’s Rock vs Thunder Bay Fury.
The girls hit the ice full of nerves and excitement on Friday afternoon. Despite outshooting St. Mary’s by +30 shots, they just could not find a way to solve their opponents rock solid goaltending and lost their first match-up 1-0! It was one of their most dominating games of the season!
Game 2: Glengarry Highlanders vs Thunder Bay Fury.
On Saturday morning, the girls were prepared to face their toughest challenge of the season. #1 ranked in Ontario, the Glengarry Highlanders! The girls came out of the gate strong and buried the first goal, stunning the Highlanders who had only lost 3 games all season! The pressure never stopped and the girls made it 2-0! Transitioning to a defensive structure, the girls managed to hold the lead for the remainder of the game despite being shorthanded much of the 3rd period. Thunder Bay Fury eliminates the #1 seed from the medal round and keeps their shot at a chance for Provincial Gold alive!
Game 3: London Devillette’s vs Thunder Bay Fury
With the girls still buzzing from their biggest win of the season, they were set to face-off against the #2 ranked in Ontario, the London Devillette’s. The girls came out strong and kept heavy pressure on the Devillette’s who were just coming off a 10-0 morning victory. The Devillette’s managed to get on the score sheet late in the first period, but the girls continued to battle against this well rounded team! With a heavy offensive push in the third period, the girls were able to even up the score and the game was deadlocked at 1-1. Despite our heavy push, the Devillette’s beat the girls on a strong rush and made it 2-1 half way through the 3rd. The girls continued to maintain pressure, however found themselves on a 5 on 3 penalty kill scenario for the remainder of the 3rd period! They didn’t give up even being short-handed, but were not able to break through the strong defense from the Devillette’s! The heartbreaking loss eliminated the girls from the Medal Round and sent the Devillette’s to the semi finals where they went on to win the Provincial Gold Medal.
Your coaches are so proud of you! You never once gave up and you played your best hockey of the season. The preparation, the team work and effort displayed by all of you was admirable. Despite coming up short on the ultimate goal, you concluded your season with your heads held high and memories that will last a life time. Girls, you should be so proud of the players you have become both on the ice and off! Your coaches and parents thank you for the great season, the memories and the learning! Wishing you well and hoping you bring that burning fire in your bellies to the next season!
Thank you and congratulations on your successes this season.
Your coaches and TBWHA