DARTMOUTH, N.S. - The Antigonish Atom ‘A’ Bulldogs captured the SEDMHA Hockey Tournament crown with 5-2 victory in the championship game versus the Sydney-based Cape Breton Blizzard.
Kate Morrow and Cameryn MacDonald each scored twice in the win with Veronica Boyle adding the other Bulldog goal.
Goaltender Adrianna Venedam was named game most valuable player (MVP).
“We challenged the girls to get a little better each game of the tournament and, with the exception of Saturday’s loss, they really did,” coach Greg Morrow wrote in an email to the Casket.
“They rebounded from a tough loss to Sydney to put together two complete games in the semi-final and final. They deserved to win; each one of them worked hard, battled, and dug deep after a long weekend, and a long day with two tough games Sunday.”
Morrow noted, last year, a large number of atom-aged girls meant there were two Antigonish teams at the tournament.
“We came up short at last year’s tournament, with one team winning silver and the other winning bronze,” he said. “This season, all of the atom girls are back together on one team, so it was nice for them to win it and take home the SEDMHA banner and jackets. They showed a lot of heart and Bulldog pride; their coaches and parents are very proud of all of them.”
Kate Morrow, the team's captain, finished second in goals (8) and points (10) in the tournament, one behind the leader in each category; and Ainslee Connolly tied for the tournament lead in assists with three.
On their way to the title, the Bulldogs posted a 3-1 record. They began with an 8-0 win over Metro West Force Blue. Goal scorers were; game MVP Cameryn MacDonald (3), Kate Morrow (2), Jaydin Sherman (2) and Ryan MacDougall.
In their next game, the Bulldogs shutout the Colchester Cyclones 3-0. Goal scorers were; game MVP Kate Morrow (2) and Ryan MacDougall, while Adrianna Venedam posted the shutout.
Their next game was the defeat coach Morrow talked about; 5-3 to the Blizzard. Goal scorers were Kate Morrow (2) and game MVP Jaydin Sherman.
In the semi-final, Antigonish once again shutout Colchester; this time by the count of 2-0. Goal scorers were Jaydin Sherman and game MVP Karly Boyle, while Adrianna Venedam and Katie Naugle shared the shutout in the Bulldog goal.
Bantam A
The Bantam ‘A’ female Bulldogs came in third place at the SEDMHA tournament, dropping their semi-final game to the Pictou Subway Selects 4-3. Goal scorers were Lauren Keats, Grace MacDougall and Brooklyn Carter while Kara Beaton earned game MVP for Antigonish.
Antigonish posted a 3-1 record on their way to the semi-final, starting with a 3-0 win over Metro East Inferno Gold. Goal scorers were; Kaylee Connors, Lauren Keats and Isabel Lawrence while Gracie Chisholm earned the shutout in goal and Mary Beth Brophy was game MVP.
The Bulldogs then defeated Metro East Inferno Red 6-2. Goal scorers were; Kara Beaton, Julia MacDonald, Mary Beth Brophy, Lauren Keats, Lauren Starzomski and Jaelyn Rovers.
Antigonish lost its next game to Pictou, a 4-2 final. Goal scorers were Julia MacDonald and Lauren Keats.
The Bulldogs then defeated Metro East Inferno Red for a second time, by an 8-0 count. Goal scorers were; game MVP Ria VandeSande, Jaelyn Rovers, Mary Beth Brophy, Julia MacDonald, Grace MacDougall, Brooklyn Carter, Lauren Keats and Isabel Lawrence, while Gracie Chisholm recorded the shutout.
Subway Selects
The Fundy Highland Subway Selects Bantam AA team posted a 3-2 record and also secured a bronze medal finish at the tournament.
Game One saw the Selects best Metro East Inferno 3-0. Maddie Beson led the way with a goal and assist. Willa Evans and Ava Genoe added singles. Gabby Arsenault recorded the shutout.
Game two saw the Selects defeat the Western Phantoms from New Brunswick, 2-1, with Kenzie Greencorn scoring the winning goal with 47 seconds left in the game. Beson scored the other goal. Olivia Fitt had two assists with singles going to Evans and Julia MacDonald.
In their third game, the Selects were defeated by the Moncton Rockets 3-2. Erin MacNeil and Beson were the Select scorers with Fitt chipping in an assist.
Game four saw Beson score the winning goal in the shootout as the Selects beat the Phantoms 1-0. Arsenault, once again, provided shutout goaltending.
With a birth in the final on the line the Selects were defeated and eliminated by Metro East Inferno 1-0.
