Panthers' prowl produces double gold

     Novice C and Atom house league teams both win on home ice with 5-0 scores in   

     their respective finals at the Panthers on the Prowl tournament

    Sunday, December 9, 2018

By Rob J. Ross 

ST. THOMAS - Two host teams took a bite of out the visiting competition.

For over a decade the St. Thomas Panthers on the Prowl tournament has left its mark on the annual schedule every December, by consistently attracting teams from across southern Ontario.

The three day event this year had novice, atom, peewee, bantam and midget C and house league divisions.

Both the Panthers' Novice C and Atom House League teams won gold, each going undefeated and winning their respective final, 5-0.

Two other St. Thomas teams were finalists. The bantam C Panthers lost their final to the Kincardine Kinucks, 3-0.

The London Devilettes Red Devils edged St. Thomas, 1-0, in the Novice House League final.

Central Perth blanked the BAD Blazers, 3-0, in the midget C final. In the semifinals, the Blazers shutout St. Thomas, 1-0, to avenge a 5-2 loss during preliminary play. (see midget Blazers and Panthers' action)

The Lambton Attack won the Atom C final, silencing the Stratford Aces, 3-0.

The Peewee House League gold medal game featured two teams representing the South County Predators, as Harrow White dumped Blue Kingsville, 4-1.

South County also took home the Bantam House League title, blanking London Devilettes Team Two, 4-0.

The Kincardine Kinucks edged the Tillsonburg Lightning, 2-1, in the Peewee C final.  

Back to back tournament wins

In the Novice C final, the Panthers blanked the Kincardine Kinucks, 5-0.

Georgina Cusick scored twice and assisted on a goal by Emme Steen, who also picked up an assist. Kaydence Thibert and Piper Fish also scored, while Andie Spicer picked up two assists. Goalie Selena Woodward stopped all rubber for the shutout.

"They worked together as team and that's our big focus this year. Lots of heads up passing," Panthers' head coach Alison Fish said. "We did a great job working together and they passed the puck around and they had their sticks down in front of the net, to tap away some rebounds."

The Panthers compiled a 5-0 record, winning tournament gold for the second time this season. In October the Panthers cleaned up at the Mitchell tournament.

"This one we had a little bit tougher competition. Our games were very close," said coach Piper.  "The girls had to put in a consistent, hard effort."

St. Thomas will return to their schedule in the Western Ontario Girls Hockey League (WOGHL), building towards their season goal.

"Our focus is trying to go to provincials," said Piper, of the Ontario Women's Hockey Association (OWHA) championship in April.

Cusick, Thibert,  Claire Crow and Lauren Kempster, were part of Panthers' OMHA Novice C championship team last season.

Gold in Atom HL 

From initial nerves to a dominant game the Panthers won the Atom house league division, with a record of five wins and tie.

"These girls were determined to win. There was no stopping them," Panthers' head coach Raden Taylor said. "They started out the weekend a little nervous, as we were on a bit of a losing streak in season play but with the help of our coaching staff to keep their motivation and confidence high they snapped out of it and really took over. They really worked hard each game, winning battles, hard skating and being first to the puck."

St. Thomas defeated the Golden Knights, Flamborough, Lakeshore Lightning White and the Kitchener Lady Rangers in pool play, outscoring the four teams, 15-3. The final was a rematch of a 2-2 tie with the Niagara Falls Rapids during pool play.

The Panthers blanked the Rapids, 5-0, in the final, backstopped by goalie Lauren Marcy.

"The biggest difference between our 2-2 tie and our 5-0 win in the finals was the energy level the girls brought out," said Taylor. "We made some line changes after the first two games, found the right combinations and rolled with it. They started playing with more team work and came out flying on Saturday to start putting the puck in the net."

Allison Elijah scored twice, Lily Taylor had the game winner and assisted on Taryn Schermerhorn's goal and Brynn McLeod had an unassisted effort. Jessica Hill and Lizzy Ayers, picked up assists.

"Hard work and dedication won it for these girls and I am extremely proud to be their coach," added Taylor.