Bantam Kent Fillies Win Golden Apple

This past weekend the Martinrea Fabco ‘BB’ Bantam Kent County Fillies girls hockey team spent the weekend in Clarington, trying to repeat as champs at the Clarington Applefest Tournament. After several hard fought games, the Bantam Fillies won the Golden Apple, defeating the Aurora Panthers in the final to defend their title. This was the Fillies’ second tournament win of the season, after the team won the St. Thomas Early Bird tournament in late September.

In the Bantam Kent County’s first game, the Fillies were pitted against a tough team from Ottawa Valley, the Thunder. The Fillies came out sluggish giving up the first goal 37-seconds into the opening period, and another less than 3 minutes later. It was midway through the third period before Ray Spotton got Kent County on the board, with Bailey Stewart adding an assist. The Ottawa Thunder answered back within the next minute to regain the 2 goal lead. With the goaltender pulled, Sarah Doom found the back of the net to cut the lead to one. With time running out the girls pressed hard, but could not find the tying goal, dropping their opening game 3-2 against Ottawa Valley.

Later in the day, with the Fillies re-energized, Kent County took on the Durham West Lightning, and bounced back with a crucial win. The first period saw the Fillies attack hard and carry the play, narrowly missing on several scoring chances. Midway through the second period, Megan Hakr opened the games scoring with assists to Jocelyn Delgado and Sarah Doom. The third period gave Kent County a scare when the Lightning popped in an early goal tying the game. After that however, it was all Fillies with Delgado, Mallory Hooghiem, and Lauren Edwards answering back. Two assists were awarded to Hailey Johnson, with singles to Jessica Roelofs, Britney Goodhand, and Bailey Stewart to cap off a 4-1 win.

On the second day of competition, the Bantam Kent County Fillies were faced against the host Clarington Flames. After two scoreless periods, the Fillies broke out in the third, with Jocelyn Delgado and Lauren Edwards scoring a pair each to lift the Fillies to another 4-1 win.

Saturday night, the Kent Fillies closed out their round robin facing the Kanata Rangers. Again, the Fillies took a 4-1 victory. Delgado paced the way with a pair, and single markers to Edwards and Hakr.

Finishing with 6-points in the round robin, the Fillies entered the semi-finals placed 3rd, and would again face the Ottawa Valley Thunder in the semi-final game.

Unlike their opening game of the tournament, the Fillies dominated Ottawa Valley start to finish, taking a 3-1 win. Hakr, Delgado and Spotton did the scoring, sending the Fillies to the Applefest final.

After the 4th place Aurora Panthers knocked out the top seeded team from Whitby in their semi-final match, the finals were set. Marandee Hunter kept the team afloat, making several big saves in net until Delgado opened the scoring midway through the first period, with Megan Hakr and Sarah Doom earning assists. Before the period ended, Bailey Stewart found the back of the net with Johnson getting the helper. With both goaltenders shutting the door the rest of the way, the Bantam BB Kent Fillies walked away with a 2-0 victory and the Golden Apple, from the Clarington Applefest Tournament.

Pictured Above: Back Row: Chris Garton (Manager), Sarah Doom, Bruce McFarland (Coach), Kelsea Ellis, Brooke Anderson, Kaitlyn VanCoillie, Jocelyn Delgado, Mallory Hooghiem, Bailey Stewart, Lauren Kelly, Rick Holmes (Coach), Lauren Edwards and Carrie VanCoillie (Trainer). Front Row: Jessica Roelofs, Britney Goodhand, Ray Spotton, Tori Digiorgio, Marandee Hunter, Megan Hakr, Hailey Johnson. Absent: Shawn Simpson (Coach).