Panthers win U9HL WOGHL title

  'Gator' bites in both semifinals and final

 April 7, 2023

St. Thomas Panthers, Western Ontario Girls Hockey League U9HL champions.  (photo / St. Thomas Panthers)

By Rob J. Ross 

ST. MARYS, Ont. - It was a room full of mixed emotions after the St. Thomas Panthers captured the Western Ontario Girls Hockey League (WOGHL) U9HL title.

The Panthers defeated the South Huron Sabres, 3-1, in the final, at the Pyramid Centre April 2.

"The girls were incredibly happy that they were able to continue their winning ways and win the final game," Panthers' head coach Alex Davy said. "but that quickly turned to sadness in the dressing room as they realized the season was over. With half of the girls moving up to U11 next year, knowing they won't be on the same team again it made for an emotional end with lots of tears and hugs with their friends."

Players and coaches will always have a season to remember. Since the calendar flipped to 2023, St. Thomas went 10-0 during the regular season, for momentum heading in to their year end playoff tournament.

"We hadn't lost in league play since going to full ice in January, but we knew in the playoffs we'd be going against some tough teams from the other division," Davy said. "We ended up playing the top team South Huron, in our first game, and again in the final and the girls fought hard and never gave up. They really stepped it up when they needed to."

South Huron opened the scoring 30 second in to the game, but Brice Noels tied the game on a breakaway. Lennon Kivisto, on a great assist from Brooke Boshart, put the Panthers up 2-1. Allie 'Gator' Harvey made it 3-1.

'Gator' also had the game's lone goal in the semi finals, scoring with 90 remaining in the third period, for a 1-0 win over North Middlesex.

In pool play, St. Thomas beat South Huron, 2-1, Huron Heat, 5-2 and Lucan Irish, 6-1.