I’ve been to provincials as a spectator over a handful of times. And this is my first seeing a gold medal win from the Mount Forest Rams.
Provincials is an all-girls’ hockey tournament located typically in the GTA for rep teams only (‘C’ level and above). It’s a three-day event that’s hectic for many, but extremely joyful and pride making, if your team wins.
My little sister, Addie, decided to play more local hockey this year, on a lower level rep team – the Mount Forest Rams ‘C’. My family has had tons of experience playing for the Rams, as my older sister, Charlotte, played there for many years and made it to provincials as well, however, she never made it as far as Addie’s Cinderella team.
Her team came together in about February (including the new players to the team like herself). Later, the organization found out that there was no ‘C’ team in her loop or the area, thereby giving them a ‘bypass’ to provincials.
The team consisted of first-year players, all the way up to players who have played their whole lives and many were thrilled with the chance to play on the all-Ontario stage.
There were three games guaranteed, two on Friday and one on Saturday. The first game was against the Glengarry Highlanders, taking place at the Earnscliffe Recreation Centre. The game was tight, with Mount Forest winning 2-1. The second game was many hours later, taking place at the same location, resulting in a 2-1 loss against the Mitchell Meteors – the first and last loss for the team during the competitive tournament. After losing the game, it was a toss-up for the future of the team – would they go bronze, no medal, even silver or gold?
The next game was set for 1:30 p.m.; this allowed the players to rest up, get a bite to eat and for some, drive up. For each game, we needed to be there an hour and 15 minutes ahead, just in case they were running ahead of schedule. Once we arrived, the girls were seeking redemption, despite the previous loss and playing a new team. Mount Forest played Parkhill in a new arena this time – Westwood – and this was a much bigger rink. With five ice pads and 50 dressing rooms, this was new to some of the girls.
The girls played hard, coming up with a 2-1 win. This was a clear pattern, as every time they either won 2-1 or lost by the same amount.
Due to the win in this game, the Rams played later that evening against Saugeen Shores. Whoever won this one would either proceed to the gold or bronze games. Mount Forest wanted to win, as this would be the first time in a while the organization had won a gold medal at provincials.
The fourth game was intense, ending in a 1-1 tie after regulation, so overtime had to be initiated. After the first OT, a second one followed, with a 10-minute break in between. This was because the ice needed to be flooded, as it was ripped up and it let the girls rest and get a pep talk. Once the second 10-minute overtime began, within three minutes, the Rams had been successful in getting the goal and earned a spot in the gold medal game the next day with a 2-1 win.
The fifth game began, again at the Westwood arena, against Mount Forest’s rival team in the tournament, the Mitchell Meteors. This game was it, the final one for these girls and stakes were high. Although many would have been pleased with silver, after seeing the progression of the underdog hockey team, gold would better represent the hard work and showed that the Mount Forest Rams U15 ‘C’ was the best in the province for the age group. This game was extreme and even more fierce than the previous game. The girls played extremely hard, with a win of 2-1!
This meant the world to so many players, coaches, families and friends. The girls all lined up on the blue line, receiving their gold medals around their necks and getting photos with the championship banner, acknowledging their victory and glory and bringing tears of joy to spectators and players. Seeing the success and progression of this team was incredible, along with the joy and happiness of it all.
This was a true Cinderella underdog story with an amazing ending. I couldn’t be any prouder of everyone involved in this win to be the U15 ‘C’ provincial champions.
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Bea Todd is a high school co-op student with Midwestern Newspapers; for question or comment contact her at co-op@midwesternnewspapers.com.
