CLARENVILLE, N.L. - The Fundy Highland Bantam Selects brought home a silver medal form the Atlantic female AAA championships.
The Selects arrived in Clarenville on April 3 and held a light skate at the Eastlink Event Centre in Clarenville, host arena of the Atlantic championship. They met their first opponents the next day against Team the Newfoundland & Labrador rep (Central Ice pack).
The Selects won 1-0, with Bailie Griffon getting the only goal, assisted by Megan Smith. Game MVP for the Selects was Gabby Arsenault.
In Game 2 the same day, the Selects edged the host (Tripen Ice) 1-0 in front of a large crowd following the opening ceremonies. Megan Smith had the goal, assisted by Ava Gennoe. Game MVP was Megan Smith.
Game 3 was played Friday versus Team P.E.I. (Western Wind). The Selects had a breakout game, winning 4-1 and earning a spot in the final on Sunday. Madison Beson had a hat trick and Olivia Fitt also scored. Assists went to Bree MacPherson, Julia MacDonald, and Gennoe. Game MVP was Erin MacNeil.
Game 4 on Saturday was a 2-1 shootout loss to Team New Brunswick (Moncton Rockets). The Selects goal scored by Julia Mae MacDonald. Game MVP was Bree MacPherson.
In the title game, a hard-fought, physical affair with the Rockets that featured end-to-end action, and with the Selects outshooting their opponent 27-23, the teams went to overtime scoreless, before Moncton scored with 3:07 remaining
Game MVP went to Arsenault for her work in net.
“(It was a) great effort by the whole team, a great experience for the girls to represent their province,” head coach Bryan Smith said.
Arsenault was named Top Goalie for the tournament and also took home tournament MVP honours.