Beattie hatty leads Panthers to victory

      St. Thomas wins Novice C division at Panthers on the Prowl tournament

             Sunday, December 3, 2017

By Rob J. Ross

ST. THOMAS-   Karis Beattie had a trick and Kaydence Thibert scored twice to lead the St. Thomas Panthers, over the Lambeth Lady Lancers, 6-1, in the Novice C final, for the Panthers on the Prowl hockey tournament, at the Timken Centre.

Emily Ellis also potted a goal for the Panthers, while Olivia Smith picked up two assists. Georgia Cusick, Rachel Wilkinson, Emma Bovin, Brynn McLeod and Beattie, each picked up one helper.

Leading 2-1, early in the second period, the Panthers broke the game open, scoring four times over a five minute span.

Hayden Edmiston scored the Lancers' lone goal.

"We have our three headed monster," head coach Mark Payne said. "Our goalie Brooklyn (Smith), (forwards) Emma (Bovin) and Karis. They bring a lot of hard work, back-checking, a lot of goals and assists to make things happen and make the rest of  the team better."

The Panthers went undefeated in pool play, with a 3-0 record, before blanking the Ilderton Jets, 4-0, in the semi-finals.

"We got on a good roll. The girls were pumped and they worked hard all weekend," said Payne. "Our defence was unbelievable. They improved every game, with a lot more confidence with the puck and the six of them were just all around strong.”

The Panthers have shown steady improvement since losing in the B final, at a tournament in Ancaster, in November.

"It started rolling from there, I could see more confidence in every girl," said Payne.

The Panthers' novice C team play their regular season in the Western Ontario Girls Hockey League.

Complete Panthers on the Prowl tournament Results.

St. Thomas also won the midget C division. The Panthers blanked the Chatham Outlaws, 1-0, in the midget C final, completing a 5-0 run over the weekend.

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