Provincial U19 ringette champions

Dorchester Dragons bring home gold from the 16-team four day A tournament

to advance to a first Eastern Canadian ringette championship

Dorchester Dragons, Ringette Ontario U19 A 2022 champions are, from left, front row - Emily McCurdy, Abby Cunningham, Alison Goldsworthy, Kaitie Gratton; back row - Alia Linton, Grace Baird, Dana Crinklaw, Olivia McMichael, Nicola Hammond, Kylie Rice, Allie Humphries, Gwen Beattie, Lauren Lindsay, Reegen Lindie, Peyton Corriveau, Jordan Hunter. (photo / courtesy Dorchester Dragons ringette)

March 24, 2022

By Rob J. Ross

DORCHESTER, Ont. - For the first time Dorchester will be playing at a Canadian ringette championship.

The Dorchester Dragons captured the provincial U19 A title, following a 7-1 run, at Ringette Ontario's 16-team tournament, March 17-20, in Ottawa.

Dorchester qualifies for the Eastern Canadian Ringette championships, in Halifax, April 14-17.

"It feels amazing to be a provincial champion," Lauren Lindsay said. "I have been playing ringette since I was three, and this is something that I have always dreamed of, and am so grateful for the opportunity to represent Ontario ringette."

Dorchester won the gold medal game, edging Forest, 5-4, with Alia Linton scoring the decisive goal with less than three minutes remaining in the second half.

Gwen Beattie had two goals and an assist and Grace Baird, a goal and two assists. Emily McCurdy also scored, while Lindsay picked up two assists.

"It's very exciting. I have never won anything this big before and the chance to go to easterns is every ringette girl's dream," Beattie said. "We have a great bond along with my amazing coaches who have played a great part in our journey this year. I'm still trying to process that we had won gold in Ottawa."

Forest led the final, 4-2, until Beattie brought Dorchester to within a goal with 12 seconds remaining in the first half. Then Beattie tied the affair, assisted by Baird and Kylie Rice.

"Throughout the entire tournament the girls continued to gain confidence in themselves and their teammates," Dorchester head coach Nicole Lindsay said. "This group of athletes has always been known as a tight-knit group. Having a group that respects the strengths of each person on the team allows the coaching staff and each individual player to take advantage of all of those little strengths to put together a true team effort."

Dorchester finished the round robin at 4-1, defeated West Ottawa in a preliminary game, before upending previously undefeated Sault Ste. Marie, in the semifinals.

"We have a special bond for sure," Lauren Lindsay said. "Our success in this tournament was purely based off of our team's connection on and off the ice. We win as a team, and lose as a team, and that mindset has really made a difference in our game, because we realize that everyone has a crucial role and you can not win a game based on individual effort."

Lauren was the top scorer of the tournament with 11 goals and 16 points. McCurdy had a team high eight assists, tied for the tournament lead and 12 points, fifth most among the top scorers. Beattie had six goals and five assists and Baird, four goals and six assists.

"I am proud to be able to say that every skater on our team recorded a point in this tournament. Not many teams can say that," coach Lindsay said. "Goals and assists don't happen without strong goaltending and defending. Our goaltenders Olivia McMichael and Abby Cunningham shared time evenly and stood on their heads when we needed them too. Our strong defence core came together to shut down the most powerful offences in the province."

In the semifinals, Lauren had a hat trick as Dorchester upset the Sault, 6-3.

"The key to defeating Sault Ste. Marie was the same as all the other games that we played, and that was to just to play our game," Lauren said. "That means to focus on what makes us a great team and not on anything the other team does."

The Sault led 3-2, before Dorchester potted four unanswered goals in the second half.

Reegen Lindie, Baird and Linton, completed the Dragons' goal scoring. Peyton Corriveau collected three assists and Allie Humphries, had two apples.

Dorchester advanced to the semifinals, edging West Ottawa, 2-1, with Dana Crinklaw and Lauren Lindsay scoring.

The Dragons were 4-1 in the round robin.

In their opener, of the four day tournament, Dorchester dropped Ajax-Pickering, 9-3, March 17. Beattie, Lauren and Crinklaw, each scored twice, while Linton, Peyton Corriveau and Katie Graham, had singles.

McCurdy, Crinklaw, Linton, Beattie, Baird and Lauren scored, as the Dragons doubled up on Ottawa, 6-3, in game two.

Timmins handed Dorchester their lone loss, at 8-3. Lauren with two goals and Crinklaw scored.

Dorchester edged Guelph, 3-2, with Beattie, Linton and McCurdy with the game winner, potting goals.

In their final round robin game, a 4-3 win against West Ottawa, Baird netted the winner. Lauren with two goals and McCurdy, completed the scoring.

Lauren credited her teammates for her hot stick over the eight games and mom for her career.

"Scoring goals is not just a reflection of the person that scored them. It is a reflection of every single person on the team, including the goalies. Everyone is involved in the goal, not just the person who's stick it came from," Lauren said. "I want to especially thank my mom. She has been my coach almost every year that I have played. She has made me into the player I am today, the person I am off of the ice, and that is something that I will be forever grateful for."

Now the Dragons prepare for the 2000-kilometre trek to the Atlantic Ocean.

"I'm so excited for our eastern championship, in Nova Scotia," said Beattie.

It's an opportunity for the Dragons to add to their historic season.

U14A

Dorchester brought home the silver medal in the U14A division, losing to West Ottawa, 3-2, in the gold medal game.

Hailey Lindie and Halle Beldman scored for Dorchester.

The Dragons went 3-1-1 during the round robin, before edging a 5-0 Timmins team, 5-4, in the semifinals.

Madi Rapai with two goals, Beldman, Adelyn Pusching and Maggie Daniel, scored.

Lindie led the Dragons in scoring with eight goals and six assists, over the five games. Rapai had seven goals and five assists.

rob@hometownplay.ca