Thunder Capture Another Tournament Title

The U16 Chatham Thunder ringette team have struck again. After winning their first tournament, the team travelled to Paris this past weekend and toppled the hometown team on the way to another gold medal.They also won this same tournament last year. Their record for the year now stands at an amazing 20 wins, 4 losses, and 2 ties.

In the first game, Chatham flexed their muscles and overwhelmed the Burlington Blast 11-3. Ireland DaSilva scored 4 goals while Kate Thompson and Myah Walters added a hat trick and two assists each. Emilie Newman had a goal and three assists. Shelby Ritzer led from the blueline with four helpers while singles went to Emma Winkler, Maya Haines, and Rebeka Durocher.

The second game was much more difficult, playing the first of two Paris teams. The game ended in a 6-6 tie due to a big push from the home team as the game drew to a close. Thompson and DaSilva had two goals apiece while Newman and Kaitlyn Sammon also scored. Ritzer had two assists and singles went to Walters and Allison Newman.

Game 3 had Chatham playing the “second” Paris team. A much more defensive game ended in a 3-1 loss and a few doors slamming as a frustrated Chatham team couldn’t get their engine going. Emilie Newman had the lone marker with DaSilva assisting. Chatham would now have to play in a semi-final game early Sunday..with the winner going to the finals Sunday afternoon.

Sunday morning’s game found the Thunder playing against the Paris team they had tied Friday. Chatham came out of the gates flying and took a 4-0 lead into the half. Paris started pushing back in the second and Chatham had familiar thoughts about the game from Friday. This time, Chatham pushed right back on the way to a 7-3 win and a berth in the gold medal game. Thompson continued on a tear with another 3 goal game. DaSilva had a goal and 2 helpers. Emilie Newman had a goal and an assist. Durocher with 2 big goals and Sammon had 3 helpers.

In the gold medal game, Chatham faced a familiar foe in Paris, and the teams settled at 1-1 after regulation with Emilie Newman scoring for Chatham. Overtime had all the dramatics as Chatham furiously pounded shot after shot at the Paris netminder while Natalie Haggerty stood on her head in net for Chatham. Finally, it was up to the captain. With 38 seconds to go in the first overtime, Shelby Ritzer flew in from the blueline and buried a wicked wrist shot into the bottom corner. The hometown crowd was silent and the Chatham fans erupted.

Haggerty was in net for all five games for Chatham. She ended the tournament with a miniscule 3.20 GAA and locked it down in the final two games making several great saves.

DaSilva finished second in tournament scoring, while Thompson and Emilie Newman tied for third.

Chatham’s next game is February 24th at 2pm at Erickson Arena.