U9 Thunder Bring Home Silver

The Postma Heating and Cooling U9 Chatham Thunder Ringette team competed over a period of three days March 27-29 at the annual WRRA Regional Ringette showdown held in Guelph, Ontario. The Chatham Thunder earned the silver medal at this season ending tournament. The Thunder’s silver was especially impressive as the team was playing up an age group in the U10 competition.

Chatham ended the round robin portion of the tournament with a 3-1 record, which earned them a spot in the gold medal game on Sunday against the host Elora-Fergus.

Despite being shadowed not only by size but age differential, the Thunder went into the final minutes of the game with the lead only to see their opponents tie the game with 1:52 left in regulation. Sudden death overtime saw the two teams challenge at both ends with Chatham coming very close numerous times to ending the match. Netminder Addison Tope was spectacular in goal, keeping Chatham in the game the whole way. Ultimately, the Elora-Fergus squad netted the game winner and earned the gold medal.

Below are game by game summaries:

Friday, March 27

Chatham 7 vs. St. Mary’s 4

The Thunder had played St. Mary’s the previous weekend and fell to the same score they posted at this tournament. Scorers for Chatham were sniper Faith Koning with five goals, followed by Myah Walters, and Keira Rivard with singles. Assisting on the goals were Kate Thompson with three helpers, Abby Padbury, Allison Newman, and Walters with assists each. Addison Tope was the goalie throughout the weekend.

Chatham 12 vs. Goderich 6

Kaia Rivard earned her hat trick in this game, with Koning and Grace Norris each netting two. Singles were scored by Kiera Rivard, Mallarie Badder, Jocelyn Hastings, Walters, and Thompson. Assisting were Thompson with two, and single helpers from Walters, Brooke Howe, Koning, Padbury, and Newman.

Saturday, March 28

Chatham 5 vs. Elora-Fergus 10

It was a David and Goliath scenario between these two teams with their opposition literally looking down at them. A hard fought game which ultimately led to Chatham learning what little weaknesses their opposition had in anticipation for the medal round. Scoring singles were Hastings, Thompson, Kaia Rivard, Koning, and Walters, with Koning adding an assist.

Chatham 4 vs. Kitchener 3

This was the first time Chatham squared off against the Kitchener Wildcats and what a great game it was. Both teams giving everything they had right to the finish. Faith Koning earned her first hat-trick of the tournament with Walters adding a single. Thompson aided on one of the goals.

Game 5 Sunday, March 29 – Gold medal game

Chatham 5 vs. Elora-Fergus 6

In what was almost the upset of the tournament Kate Thompson inspired her team with two beautiful goals while Walters, Koning, and Hastings each added singles. Jocelyn Hastings was involved in setting up three of the five goals, while Thompson, and Koning both earned assists. Addison Tope was brilliant in net turning away a barrage of hard shots and keeping her cool while under tremendous pressure.

Pictured Above: From front row left to right: Goaltender Addison Tope, Second Row: Mallarie Badder, Grace Norris, Jocelyn Hastings, Kate Thompson, Keira Rivard. Third row: Abby Padbury, Myah Walters, Kaia Rivard, Allison Newman, Maya Haines, Brooke Howe, Faith Koning. Back row: Ast. Coach Paul Norris, Head Coach Blair Caron, Trainer Amanda Tope, Ast. Coach Chris Koning, Trainer Kari Howe