TOEHL League & Playoff Champions

Shootout Time – TOEHL Playoff Finale a nail biter

After going undefeated and claiming first place in league play for the 2009-10 season with a record of 16-0-4, the Little Caesars Girls U16 team entered the Tier One Elite Hockey League playoffs with one goal: Finish the season without losing a game in league play.

The weekend started out strong with Caesars winning all three pool play games. In a 6-1 win over the Wisconsin Wild, Kelly Harris and Alyssa West lead the charge with 2 goals each. Scoring was more evenly distributed in their 4-1 win over the Chicago Mission, with goals coming off the sticks of Nicole Renault, Rachel Miller and Morgann Madill.  In the final round robin game, Morgann Madill got the game winner in a 1-0 win over Victory Honda. 

The semi final draw lined them up against Team Pittsburgh, who had finished the regular season second overall in league play. From the drop of the puck it was a tightly played game. Despite several good scoring opportunities, neither team was able to score in the first period. Midway through the second period Cassidy Tucker was able to break the deadlock with a nice backhand goal over the glove of the Pittsburgh goalie. Pittsburgh fought back hard, but Caesars was able to hold them off long enough to claim a 1-0 victory. 

The championship game would pit the Madison Capitals against Little Caesars. Given that both semi final games had been decided by a one goal margin, everyone anticipated a great game in the final battle for league bragging rights. The game that ensued did not disappoint and was chock full of great scoring opportunities and fantastic saves. Little Caesars drew first blood midway through the second period when Cassidy Tucker scored a shorthanded goal. The game would remain tied until the final minute of play when Madison pulled the goalie and scored the equalizer with 0:29 remaining in regulation. After two five minute overtime periods neither team could manage to get the puck past the netminders; the game would be decided in a shootout. Little Caesars shooters Alyssa West and Sydney Brickey were able to beat the Madison goalie. Caesars goaltender Alexis Shaw stood strong in net during the shootout, securing the victory by allowing only one Madison player to score. Congratulations girls on winning the league championship and the playoff championship.

Little Caesars 16U players are: Julie Beattie, Abigale Belcrest, Rachael Booth, Sydney Brickey, Allison Carter, Mellissa Channell, Erin Conway, Taylor Fairchild, Kelly Harris,

Morgann Madill, Taylor Marchin, Shannon McFadden, Rachel Miller, Breanna Peterson, Nicole Renault, Gabrielle Schnepp, Alexis Shaw, Cassidy Tucker, and Alyssa West. Little Ceasars is coached by David Erwin, Maureen O’Bryan, and Matt Berger.