The Lambton Attack U9 HL-2 team picked up their first full-ice win of the season at the Stoney Creek Sweetheart Tournament this past weekend, playing in three tightly contested games over the course of Friday and Saturday.
The Attack kicked things off at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, taking on the St. Catharines Brock Badgers White squad.
June C. got Lambton on the board first, burying the rebound from a Lillian B. rush in the opening moments of the game, however the lead was short lived as the Badgers stormed back to take a commanding 5-1 lead into the 3rd period. While Darcy H. was able to get one back for Lambton in the 3rd, with assists coming from Vi N. and Mya S., it wasn't enough for the Attack who fell 7-2 in the tournament opener.
Lillian B. was named hardest working player of the game for her efforts on both sides of the puck, while netminder Holly (Jo) A. stood tall in net with a barrage of shots, especially in the 2nd stanza.
Game two of the weekend saw Lambton take on the Waterloo Ravens at 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening, and the game started similarly to the tilt against St. Catharines, with June C. finding the back of the net early in the contest, this time with an assist coming from Annabelle A.
The contest turned into a defensive battle from there, with Jo turning aside everything that came her way, helping the Attack cling onto a slim 1-0 lead with time winding down in the 3rd.
Waterloo was relentless though, and with fatigue setting in for the Attack, the Ravens struck twice with less than two minutes to go in the game and take the win by a 2-1 margin.
June was named Lambton's hardest working player of the game, but the entire team was deserved of the praise thanks to a complete three periods of hockey in what was likely their best game to date of the season.
Eliminated from medal contention after two wins, the Attack headed back to their hotel and had some fun in the pool to get ready for game 3, a tilt against the Port Colborne Wave on Saturday, Jan. 31.
Just like in games one and two, Lambton came out firing but this time scoring would wait until the 2nd period where once again, June C. tickled the twine to put the Attack ahead.
Lambton's relentless defensive play was the difference in this one, as the lone goal of the game came directly off of a turnover forced at Port Colborne's blueline and some quick strike action the other way. Key to that stellar defensive play was Annabelle A. who was named the team's hardest working player in the victory.
Another big factor in Lambton picking up the 1-0 win was the steady play of Jo in between the pipes. Picking up her first win of the season with a statement shutout saw the entire squad celebrating after the game and generates some big momentum for the Attack heading into a couple of upcoming weekend tilts.
Lambton is home to North Middlesex at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7 at the Watford Arena before turning around to take on the Lucan Irish at 9:00 a.m. in Lucan on Sunday, Feb. 8.