In spite of the cancellation of the 2020 OWHA (Ontario Women's Hockey Association) Provincial Championships, the Sudbury Peewee B Lady Wolves will still hold the distinction as the only member of the local association to compete in a regional playdown and earn a berth at the event that is no more.
The local squad bested the North Bay Ice Boltz 5-1 in the four-point affair, following up an opening game draw with a pair of solid victories.
Goals were scarce in Game 1 as the teams played to a 0-0 tie, with Macey Gaudin-Blanchette recording the shutout for Sudbury.
Controlling much of the play, the offence really clicked in Game 2 as a two-goal effort from Kealy Innes, combined with an insurance marker from Hannah Sullivan lifted the Lady Wolves to a 3-1 win over the Ice Boltz.
Needing only a tie to advance, the locals left no question about the validity of their berth at provincials, blanking North Bay 2-0 on goals from Kaylee Alberton and Kealy Innes, and a second straight whitewash, between the pipes, for Gaudin-Blanchette.
"It was a solid team effort," said head coach Aaron Aikia. "We played well at both ends of the ice."
The 2019-2020 edition of the Sudbury Peewee B Lady Wolves includes Peyton Aikia, Kaylee Alberton, Kate Bouchard, Madeleine Buchowski, Kendra Cole, Macey Gaudin-Blanchette, Addison Gibbs, Peyton Gillis, Katie Innes, Kealy Innes, Elizabeth Lumme, Addison Parise, Reese Roy, Hannah Sullivan, Danyka Tremblay, Reanna Tremblay and Delaney Williams.
Joining Aikia on the team staff are Renee Boucher, Kurt Gibbs, Rebecca Gobbo, Eric Parise, Kristyn Pascal and Mireille Tremblay.
Meanwhile, in SDGHA houseleague playoff action, the Sudbury Bears rode a two-goal performance from Sarah McCann to the bantam banner, with Abbey Parise and Sydney Haddad drawing assists in a 2-1 gold-medal win over the Sudbury Phoenix.
Sarah Roberts set up Danica Peltier for the only marker of the game for the Phoenix.
