The Ravens battled through a demanding weekend and showed grit, growth, and heart at every turn to take home Silver!
Friday started with an early-morning matchup against East Ottawa Stars. Despite a slow start, the Ravens found their stride and pulled out a hard-earned 4–3 victory. Game two on Friday saw the girls take on Cornwall. Still feeling the effects of Thursday’s long drive, the Ravens faced an unexpected push from Cornwall. It wasn’t our usual brand of hockey, but the team dug deep to secure a 2–2 tie.
It's worth noting that throughout the tournament, the Ravens competed short two defense. After playing with 4 defense on Friday, one player selflessly stepped up and moved from center to defense to help balance out the team. The adjustment was seamless and highlighted the team-first mentality that defines this group.
Saturday morning brought a completely refreshed Ravens squad. Rested and rejuvenated, the girls played an exciting, nail-biting game against Kanata. The Ravens generated countless scoring chances but came up just short in a 1–0 loss.
Later that day in the semi-finals, the Ravens faced East Ottawa once again. Playing strong, structured Ravens hockey, Waterloo jumped out to an early 2–0 lead, East Ottawa battled back with a hard-working goal late in the first, but the Ravens locked things down, kept the pressure up to stay in the offensive zone for the balance of the game. Finishing strong to earn a 2–1 win and a trip to the finals.
Sunday marked the team’s fourth straight tournament final, and it did not disappoint. The championship game was a hard-fought battle, with both teams trading chances, posts being hit, shots blocked, and bodies sacrificed. After regulation, the game remained tied 1–1.
The 3-on-3 overtime was end-to-end excitement, but stellar goaltending at both ends kept the puck out of the net. The game ultimately went to a shootout. The Ravens hit the goalie’s stick knob and just missed finding twine, while Kanata was able to slip one through to claim a 2–1 shootout win.
An incredible weekend of hockey filled with resilience, teamwork, and heart. The Coaches are very Proud of this group and the way they continue to compete at the highest level. 🏒🔥