Champions of Pink Ribbon of Hope Challenge Cup !!
The Castor River Coyotes Midget BB team participated in the first annual Pink Ribbon of Hope Challenge Cup in Cobourg from October 9th to 10th . Part of the profits of the tournament were donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Society. The girls were proud to participate in a tournament which benefited such a worthy cause. They faced their first opponents, the Gloucester Stars - a home league rival - on Friday, October 9th. They knew going into this game that they were evenly matched due to the fact that they had tied them in the two previous games they played against them at home.
It wasn't until late in the first period when a goal was scored by the Coyotes' Angela Sunstrum; a great line effort with Marie-Claude Drouin and Marie- Michelle Blais picking up assists. Gloucester responded early in the second to tie it up. Lauren Kruders, the Coyotes goalie stood strong for the entire game, making sure that Gloucester didn't score any more so that the game ended in yet another tie between the two teams.
Later that afternoon, in their second game, the girls really picked up their socks, getting a goal early in the first. Brittany Bakker proved the coach wrong when she scored on a shot from behind the net, skillfully bouncing it off the West Northumberland Wild's goalie putting the Coyotes on the scoreboard. Early in the second Carolina Parravano popped one in for the Coyotes after a scramble in front of the Wild's net. Katie Bakker, an affiliate from the Bantam B's, sniped one to the top corner to put the Coyotes up 3-0. The Wild put one in late in the second to make it 3-1. Katie Bakker came through for the Coyotes yet again scoring one with a nice team play from Kelsey Houle and Ashley Hampton. Just shortly after Marie-Michelle Blais displayed quick hands by scoring the 5th goal for the Coyotes. The Wild scored late in the game making the final score 5- 2. Kat Lauch, the Coyotes goalie, banked the Coyotes first win of the season.
On Saturday morning the Coyotes started off in rough shape, despite a restful night at the Bates Motel, going into the third trailing 1-0 to North Durham Blades. Between the second and the third the girls got a "motivating" speech courtesy of Coach Peter Lauch. A few minutes into the period Angela Sunstrum got her second of the season with an assist from Marie-Michelle Blais making it 1-1. It was a nail-biter until late in the game when Kelsey Houle stuffed the puck through the Blades pipes, netting Lauren Kruders first win of the season.
With a tie and two wins the Coyotes were headed to the championships in 1st place to play the second seated Gloucester Stars, this time knowing it could not end in a tie . The game was intense, with both teams wanting the first win. Ashley Hampton scored on her own rebound after a tough battle with the Stars defence to make it 1-0 for the Coyotes. Early in the second the Stars showed that they were still in it when they scored to tie it up. Two minutes later Dominique Léveillé whipped one in for the Coyotes to give them the lead. With the team serving 2 penalties and only 1 goal up late in the third the girls were working hard to keep their lead. Kat Lauch made some amazing saves to hold the score at 2-1 and clinch the first tournament championship for the Coyotes in the 2009-2010 season.
Players of the game included: Angela Sunstrum, Katie Bakker, Tania Demers and Jessica Hendrikx. All the girls should be commended for showing great character and heart to bring home the gold. Congratulations girls!!
Jessica Hendrikx and Lauryn Vandekemp