TI 12U Advance to Semi's in Silver Sticks Tournament

Team Illinois 12Us traveled to Sarnia, Ontario to compete with eleven other teams at the Peewee AA level in the prestigious 6th Annual Silver Sticks Girl's Hockey Tournament in mid February after completion of a successful 13-0-3 NIHL Season and an overall record of 24-12-7. 

TI opened up the tournament against the Aurora, Ontario on Friday afternoon. After giving up an early goal, the girls battled back and dominated the rest of the game with strong fore checking and precision passing. TI rallied as they blasted the Aurora goal tender for 4 unanswered goals on only 9 shots. Goals were tallied by Ashley Motherwell, Nicole Germaine, Lauren Jones and Samantha Patrone as TI won 4-1. 

The team, fresh off the mid-day win faced Sarnia Jr. Sting in the evening game. The girls blanked the Sting 5-0 in a surge of offensive power in the short 10 minute period contest, generating 23 shots on goal while only allowing 10 shots on net minders Sydni Espey and Erin Callahan. The Sarnia team could never mount an offensive attack as Kathy Shei and Alyssa Spratte held the blue line and kept the puck deep in the Sting's zone for most of the game. TI overpowered the opposition in all zones of the ice showing poise and discipline as the ranks of the Sting's defense began to falter under ongoing pressure by all three offensive lines. The goal lamp was lit by Claire Santostefano, Jessica Howerton, Lauren Jones and two tallies by Nicole Germaine. 

The third game played Saturday afternoon matched TI against an exceptionally quick Oakville (Ontario) Hornets team. The game was a battle for ice position from the opening face-off. Most of the game played out in the neutral zone as each team searched to exploit any weakness in the team's defense or discipline. Both teams struggled to mount a sustained offensive rush as weary legs began to show. The Hornets played well as they worked to conserve their narrow lead throughout the third period. The long penalties kept TI from mounting rushes to close the gap and as the final buzzer sounded found themselves short. A lone goal by Erin Bradarich was all TI could muster as they fell to the Hornets 2-1 after only compiling 11 shots on net. 

After a mid-day break the girls regrouped to face the Bluewater (Ontario) Sharks in the quarter finals. The home town team was exceptionally well conditioned and quick. Lauren Jones and Ashley Motherwell scored to keep TI within striking distance. However, once again TI could not generate a sustained offensive attack as each rush was met with good stick play and exceptional body work by the Shark's defense. The physical play exhibited by each of the Canadian teams was met well by TI as aggressive play was key in matching up to these well seasoned teams. Again TI fell short in a close 3-2 contest. Both teams compiled 13 shots on net each. 

However, all was not over for TI as they accumulated enough points to qualify for the semi-final contest against the number one seed, London (Ontario) Devilettes. TI was the lone team from the United States to advance into the semi-final games. 

The early morning game against London had the TI matched against possibly the strongest Canadian team in the province. The game was dominated by quickness and agility as TI matched the London team in strength and speed. A fluke deflection over goalie Erin Callahan's shoulder in the first period set the tone for the game. Any offensive rush was turned back by the dump and chase strategy of the Devilettes. The final score was London - 5 and TI - 1. 

The girls worked hard and never let adversity cloud their objective throughout the tournament. The high level of competition and experience was good preparation as they begin round-robin play for the Illinois State Girls Hockey Championship.