Kristina Misener
Thunder Media Relations
TORONTO — Ottawa Valley Thunder Girls hockey leave mark on the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) at weekend provincials along with an amazing 11,000 other girls from Novice to Senior teams. It is not an easy feat to finish first or second in your division to be awarded a spot to compete to earn the title of Provincial Champion.
This amazing feat was accomplished by three of the Ottawa Valley Thunder Girls Hockey teams. Atom, Pee Wee, and Bantam all earned an invitation to compete. The Midget team received an honorable mention of being one point short to qualify to attend.
Bantam Thunder set the bar high for their complete season. They stopped at nothing at the Provincials with an amazing record starting with the first game. Thunder beat the Aurora Panthers 3-0. The goal scorers were Sarah McIntyre, Meara Ryan and Jordan Shields. Madison Tomasini, Jordan Spence, Abbey Perrault-Sanders along with Ryan and Shields each picked up assists.
In the second game the Thunder got the offence rolling and beat up on the Ancaster Avalanche 6-0. Goal scorers were: Sarah McIntyre, Katlyn Olsheski, Mila Jones, Jordan Spence, Meara Ryan and Jordan Shields. Picking up helpers were: Spence and Shields with 2 each, and singles by Sydney Smart, Jaiden Smith, Mila Jones, Kaylie Kuehl and Abbey Perrault-Sanders.
The third round robin game saw the Thunder prevail 2-0 over the Clarington Flames. Katlyn Olsheski and Meara Ryan scored the goals while Mila Jones and Jordan Spence picking up assists.
By virtue of their round robin play, the Thunder received a bye to the quarter finals. In a tight rematch with Ancaster the Thunder won 1-0 on a goal by Jordan Shields, assisted by Emma Peever.
The semi-finals brought on the Kent County Fillies. After a scoreless game, the Thunder won a barn burner 6 minutes into overtime. Jordan Shields converted a pass from Meara Ryan to send the Thunder to the gold medal game.
This game saw the Thunder goalie – Katie Douglas – record her 5th straight shut-out in the Provincials; an incredible run of goaltending.
The gold medal game was a see-saw affair against the Stoney Creek Sabres, with a number of momentum changes. The Thunder got a goal from Madison Tomasini with 2 minutes left to send the game to overtime. Unfortunately the run ended when the Sabres scored in OT to win 4-3. Other goal scorers in the final were Sydney Smart and Jordan Shields. Picking up assists were Meara Ryan with 2, Kaylie Kuehl and Jordan Spence with one each.
The provincial silver medal capped off a great season for the Thunder. Their overall record was 35 wins, 13 losses and 8 ties. They scored an impressive 133 goals versus only 64 against. They also added the Jay Peak tournament title to their provincial silver medal.
Bantam Thunder: In the photo back from left to right; Lori St Cyr (Trainer), Dean Peever (Ass. Coach), Sydney Smart, Kaylie Kuehl, Tom Patrick (Ass. Coach) Sarah McIntyre, Emma Peever, Madison Tomasini, Dan Shields (Ass. Coach), Jordan Spence, Kirk Spence (Coach), Mila Jones. Front left to right; Meara Ryan, Abbey Perrault-Saunders, Kaitlyn Olsheski, Katie Douglas, Jaiden Smith, Keely Patrick and Jordan Shields.
Pee Wee Thunder competed against 24 teams from all over Ontario for the Provicincials. Their first opponent was the Bancroft Jets which resulted in a 0-0 tie. Second game saw a whopping 7-1 win against the Vaughan Flames. Third game 3-2 win against Lindsay Lynx with a 1-0 overtime loss in quarter finals against Russell Coyotes. Overall Record: 34 wins, 7 loses, 14 ties. ODWHA Peewee B Playoff Champion, 2-0 win over Outauoais on Championship Day in Kemptville, Peewee B Finalists Clarington Applefest Tournament, Peewee A Champions at Adirondack Winter Classic in South Glens Falls, NY, Peewee B Champions at Durham West Rep Tournament
Peewee photo: Front row: Cailey Herwig, Emma Peever, Karsyn Keetch, Meadow Congdon, Haley De Ruiter, Mackenzie Schilling, Louisa Fritzsche: 2nd row: Lisa Keetch, Asst. Coach, Camryn Biggs, Eryka Lariviere, Brynne Delaurier, July Cobus, Kenya Stevenson, Hannah Dubeau, Olivia Smart, Madison Pigeon Back row: Dean De Ruiter, Head Coach, Brent Keetch, Manager, Shawn Peever, Asst. Coach
Atom Thunder team had a season record with turning the tables and achieving 2nd in their division for the play-downs provincial qualifier to earn a spot. Twenty-four teams competed in the Atom B division from all over the province. Their tournament standing was 2-0-2 advancing to the qualifier in game four but were defeated 1-0 by local rivals Nepean Wildcats. Atom Thunder were Silver Medalist of the Barrie Sharkfest and Belleville Bearcats during the regular season.
Atom photo: Front Row: Alexis Russell, Emma McGrath, Emma Misener, Sophie Procher, Emma White. 2nd Row: Brooklyn Tomansini, Emily George, Issy Perrault-Saunders, Julia Swant, Alexis Waito, Peyton Gray, Abby Pleau, and Tatum Ogilvie. Back Row: Anne George (trainer), Jason Swant (asst. coach) Chris Pleau (head coach), Tom Patrick( assy. Coach)
ABOUT THUNDER Our Thunder competitive program in the Ottawa Valley has girls from Deep River to Renfrew that tryout to secure a place on our teams. We compete in Cornwall, Russell, Ottawa, Brockville in the Ottawa Women’s District Hockey Association
