On July 19 the Aces hosted the Burlington Chiefs in a interesting match with the Aces coming out on top with a 6-2 win. The games was close in the first period with the Aces holding a one goal lead. The two goals in the firsts were scored by Brianna Plester, assisted by Shawna Terpstra and Syd Beam. The Aces added three more in the second leading by a score of 5-1. Second period goals came from Haley Price, assisted by Alicia Jackson and Plester; Plester, assisted by Beam and Price and Terpstra, assisted by Beam and Shelby VanDenBosh. The Aces held onto their four goal spread with each team scoring one in the third. Final goal for the Aces was scored by Jackson, assisted by Beam and Plester. To add some action to the game Rebecca Holinshead and Burlington’s #2 Deanne Pantin got into a tousle, with just 21 seconds left in the game, resulting in Pantin being sent to the dressing room after being assessed eight minutes for unnecessary roughing, as well Holinshead received two minutes for unnecessary roughing. Once the penalties were straightened out the refs got the game started again. Jackson takes the ball at the middle of the floor, ref blows the whistle, and out of nowhere Burlington’s #14 Breanne Gillie jumps Jackson and gets five minutes for fighting and a 10 minute game misconduct. Playing the last 15 seconds four on three the Aces played smart resulting in the 6-2 win.
Two nights later the Aces headed to Elmira in their final meeting with Centre Wellington. This was a close game, but hopefully the Aces learned something out of the game, that they can never let their guard down until the final buzzer goes. The Aces were the only ones to get on the scoreboard in the first on a goal from Plester, assisted by Beam. Second period saw the Aces let off a bit, give up some loose balls and make a few bad passes which Centre Wellington capitalized on giving them an opportunity to score two in the second take the lead heading into the third period. Plester ties the game up two and half minutes into the third on a pass from Terpstra. The Aces had many opportunities but just could not get the ball into the net. In the dying seconds of the game Centre Wellington gets control of the ball, on a missed ball by the Aces, and fires it at the net, which gets by Aces goalie Ashley Price giving them a 3-2 lead with just six seconds left and the win.
The Aces are to have one more game against Burlington before Provincials. Not sure if this game will go as Burlington have many excuses as to why they can not reschedule the game from July 12  which they cancelled.
The Aces will be heading to Whitby on Aug 3-5 for Provincials, and have the goal set high. If the Aces can score on all their scoring opportunities, not shoot at the goalie, they have a chance of reaching their goal this year. Good luck girls!
REMEMBER “Everyone has the will to win, but do YOU have the will to prepare to win.”