Panthers capture OWHA U11A bronze  

 St. Thomas caps season with first medal in club history at the A level

  April 15, 2024

By Rob J. Ross

SCARBOROUGH, Ont. - The St. Thomas Panthers are Ontario Women's Hockey Association (OWHA) U11A bronze medalists.

Lexi MacMillan with two goals, Erica Bartley and Lyla Fitzgerald scored, as the Panthers defeated the Mississauga Hurricanes, 4-2, in the bronze medal game Sunday at the Canlan Sports Centre.

"This game wasn't our best. We were definitely tired, but the girls persevered and were able to win," Panthers' head coach Wade Fitzgerald said. "For us to play in the top four was a huge accomplishment and to win the bronze is pretty special. First OWHA medal for St. Thomas in six years and first ever in the A category."

The Whitby Wolves, who went on to win gold defeating London in the final, stopped the Panthers in the semifinals, 4-0.

There was disappointment not advancing to play for gold, but the Panthers' coaches pointed out what the team had achieved.

"We told the girls that being where we were was very fortunate," said coach Fitzgerald, "There was 20 teams in the tournament from all over Ontario. Plus another 20 that didn't get to go."

In the quarterfinals, the Panthers eliminated the Haldimand Rivercats, with a 4-1 victory, the first win in four meeting against Haldimand this season.

"The quarterfinal by far was our best game," coach Fitzgerald said.

Erica Bartley with two goals, Caitlin Farquhar and Lilly Fife, scored for St. Thomas.

The Panthers finished at 4-2 overall, but started pool play slow, falling to Durham West, 3-1, with Harris scoring their lone goal.

St. Thomas rebounded in game two, doubling up on the Nepean Wildcats, 4-2, with a hat trick by MacMillan and a single from Harris.

MacMillan's second hat trick of the tournament and a pair of goals from Harris, carried the Panthers to a 5-3 victory over the Woolwich Wild, and a spot in the quarterfinals.

The provincial bronze caps a memorable season for these 'Cats, who similar to the OWHA tournament, started the 2023-24 season not quite a provincial contender.

"We struggled a bit at the beginning of the year and then found a rhythm around the end of November, when we didn't lose in 17 games. We were last in our league and end up on top, ultimately winning our league," coach Fitzgerald. "We have a mix of girls and talents. Many had never played at such a level. Three from the U11 BB team last year and the rest were a mix of U11HL, U9HL and U9 tier one."

Along with taking the South Western League title, the Panthers won gold at both the Big Cat tournament in St. Thomas and the London Devilettes tournament. It was silver at Hocktoberfest.

Ten Panthers and Blazers teams at Provincials

The U11A Panthers have the top result from 10 local teams, representing the Panthers and Belmont Aylmer Dorchester (BAD Girls), at OWHA provincial championships in the Greater Toronto Area.

Three teams, including the U11A Panthers advanced to quarterfinal action.

The U13C Panthers were 2-0-1 in pool play, both victories by shutout, but were blanked by Mitchell, 3-0, in their quarterfinal. Mitchell brought home the U13C silver.

The U15C Blazers went 3-0 in pool play, outscoring opponents, seven to one, but fell in their quarterfinal, 4-1, to the Nepean Wildcats, who went on to the silver medal.

At provincials, the competition is so tough, even not losing a pool game, may not be enough to advance.

The U18BB Panthers had a win and two ties in pool play and missed quarterfinal action.

Meanwhile, the U15B Panthers were 2-1-0, losing only a 2-1 game, but missed advancing to the quarters.

The U15C Panthers went 0-2-1 and the senior B Panthers, 0-2-1.

Both the BAD girls U18AA and U13C Blazers had a 0-2-1 records, while the U11C Blazers had a tough weekend, pointless in three games.

Four local players silver with London

Four players from St. Thomas and all former St. Thomas Panthers during their minor hockey days, helped the London Devilettes win senior BB silver.

Lexi Wilson, Sarah Collier, Karly Scidmore and Kelsie Annaert and their Devilettes teammates, had a tough 8-2 loss in the final to the Woodstock Wildcats.

        rob@hometownplay.ca

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