Whitby Bantam AA Wolves handed #1 ranked Stoney Creek Sabres their third loss of the season in a 1-0 shootout win. The Whitby Wolves bantam AA team got invited to participate in a Bantam AA Showcase Exhibition series being held in conjunction with the 2017 USport Women's National Hockey Championships. Whitby was one of only six (6) teams invited to play a game in front of Canadian University coaches on the big ice surface at the Strathcona Paper Centre.
OWHA and Hockey Canada invited the Whitby Wolves Bantam AA team to the USports Bantam Showcase
held in Napanee, during the USports Women’s Hockey Championship
being held March 16 to 19th, 2017. USPORT is the rebranding of the former CIS.
This was a once in a life
time opportunity for Bantam aged players who aspire to play varsity hockey in
Canada. A chance for them to learn about USports
Women’s Hockey and to meet the coaches in person. All parents and players were
welcome to participate in all events.
The purpose was;
-
To promote and bring awareness to
the USports Women’s Hockey Program
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To showcase the hockey talent in Ontario
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To provide an opportunity / forum
to learn the steps required to become a USports player
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To give USports Teams the
opportunity to scout Ontario Bantam AA players
Six teams were invited, with Whitby drawing Stoney Creek Sabres in the one game show down with the number 1 ranked Ontario Bantam AA team, that had only lost twice this season. The last time these two teams met, was in the Silver Stick tournament held February 3rd to 5th. Whitby came out of that game with a 4-1 loss.
Whitby and Stoney Creek, played three scoreless periods, before going straight to a shootout. Whitby scored twice and Stoney Creek was only able to get one past Alyssa harper for the huge shootout win, before provincials. Alyssa and Sarah Coe shared in the Shut out against the potent Stoney Creek lineup. It was exciting two-way game physical game, where the reffs put away their whistles and let the girls play top level hockey in front of the scouts. Everybody did their job to contribute to the team win.
After the game, players and families were invited to a meal and question and answer session with Canadian University and Team Canada officials, focusing on expectations for girls to advance to the collegiate level; as well as progressing to U18 selection camps.
Then after a great meal and the seminar with the high level coaches, the players and their families were invited to watch the quarter-final game between the #1 ranked University of British Columbia Thunderbirds versus the host Queens University Gaels. UBC went on to win the game 2-1.