The All Risks Insurance North Bay U18 AA Ice Boltz had a strong showing at the Leaside March Break Madness tournament in Toronto over the weekend capping it off with a silver medal.
The U18 AA Ice Boltz defeated the Ontario Hockey Academy 3-0 in their first game Friday morning with goals from Camryn Walker and a pair from Danika West. Goaltender Hannah Brunton was in goal for her first of three shutouts over the six games played during the tournament.
The second game Friday was also a 3-0 win for the Ice Boltz as they defeated the Peterborough Ice Kats with goals from Maddy Garagan, Taylor Yeo and Danika West. Brunton with 22 saves for the shutout.
The third game of the weekend featured a match with a northern Ontario rival from the Soo. The Ice Boltz threw everything they could at the Soo outshooting them 18-12 but came up on the wrong end of a 2-0 score. In the quarterfinal game Saturday night, the Ice Boltz faced Barrie, and went up 2-0 in the second period on goals from Ava Assinewai and Danika West. Brunton faced a barrage of shots and made some big saves at the end of the third period as she earned her third shutout of the weekend.
With the win the Ice Boltz earned a semi final berth against their Highway 17 rivals the Sudbury Lady Wolves.
On Sunday, the Ice Boltz were looking for redemption after Sudbury recently eliminated the Ice Boltz in provincial play downs.
Coming out strong and carrying the play, the Ice Boltz went up 2-0 early in the third period on goals from Sophie Bywater and Chloe Frank. The Lady Wolves got one back midway through the third period. With four and a half minutes left in the third, the Ice Boltz got their insurance marker off the stick of Danika West. Sudbury pulled their goalie and threw everything they had at the Ice Boltz but North Bay defended well and earned the 3-1 win.
With the victory over the Lady Wolves, the Ice Boltz would face the host Toronto Leaside Wildcats in the final. Leaside jumped out to an early lead in the first two minutes of the game and added a power play goal midway through the first period. The Ice Boltz were unable to generate much offence the remainder of the game and fell 2-0 in the finals settling for a silver medal.
The U18 AA Ice Boltz welcome back from injury goaltender Anna McPherson this week as the team wraps up regular season games and prepare for their final tournament in Brampton Easter weekend.
Other players collecting points over the weekend were Madison Moore, Maddy Southall, Chloe Gravelle, Stephanie Hatch and Ella Ouellette. Players contributing the Ice Boltz success include forwards: Chloe Chemery and Abby Schaffner and on defense: Emily Brunet and Grace Roynon.
The coaching staff of Laura McKenzie, Dan Garagan, Paul Yeo and Jeff Roynon say they are extremely proud of the growth of the team over the season highlighted with this weekend’s success.
