Provincial Champs! Chatham Thunder Junior Team Wins Gold
Chatham Thunder Provincial Junior Champions 2012 - Submitted Photo
The Chatham Thunder Unigasco Junior A Ringette Team finished off their 2011-12 season with a perfect weekend at the Provincial Championships; going undefeated through the round robin, semi-finals and then winning the gold medal game on Sunday afternoon in Ottawa.
Six out of the 8 games were won by a single goal. The streak started Thursday morning with a win against the host, West Ottawa 8-6. Later that afternoon the girls beat Timmins 2-1 in overtime. Friday morning brought another OT win against local rival Forest, 5-4. That same afternoon the girls trounced Ajax 8-1. Saturday morning the Thunder struggled to get past Kitchener 6-5 and went on to finish first after round robin play with a perfect record by beating Seaforth, 3-1.
Sunday morning brought the semi-final versus Timmins and another very close 3-2 win, this time in regulation time. The Chatham girls then met Kitchener in the finals, winning a hard fought 4-3 game to bring home Provincial gold.
Lindsay Chandler led the team effort with 12 goals and 4 assists on the weekend. Kara Hueniken contributed 11 goals and 5 assists. Hannah Doforno added 6 goals and 10 assists. In overall ranking for the U16A division, Chandler, Hueniken, and Doforno all tied for third with 16 points a piece. Riley Kay also chipped in with 6 goals and 4 assists, while Jane Vanoirschot had 2 goals and 8 assists, and Miriam AlShibli had 2 goals and 3 assists. Kayla Therrien had 4 assists, while her defence partner, Courtney Roberts chipped in 3. Defensive pair, Madison Goodwin and Michelle Raaymakers had 2 assists a piece.
Alissa Reid, was outstanding between the pipes all weekend and was within seconds of a shut-out for all 3 one-goal games.
Missing for this weekend’s golden performance was Nicole Hook.
This year’s Junior A team was coached by Head Coach, Stephen Hook. He was assisted on the bench by Krista Goodwin and Trainer, Jan Doforno. As the team hangs up their skates after a “golden” season, they would like to acknowledge the support of their sponsor, Unigasco Credit Union.