There was absolutely no sign of a New Year's hangover for the members of the Valley East 18+ Open ringette team, capturing their first tournament of 2019 with a five game winning streak in Whitby.
With the Whitby (Wild) Ringette Association celebrating both their 50th anniversary this year, as well as their annual tournament, the local women were more than happy to partake in the festivities.
The Valley East reps kicked off the new calendar year with a 5-2 win over the St. Marys Snipers, as Heather Livingstone and Samantha-Jane Odorizzi paced the attack with two goals apiece, with Dayna Desjardins netting the other.
It was on to more familiar faces in game two as the locals stopped Timmins 7-2, Odorizzi once again at the forefront with a hat trick. Riley-Jo Linklater added a pair, while Renée Delarosbil and Angela Mead capped things off.
No slowing down in game three as Heather Livingstone buries the game-winning goal with just fourteen seconds to play, lifting Valley East past the KRA (Kitchener Ringette Association) Fusion 4-3. Trailing 1-0 after the first period, Odorizzi would open the scoring for the Nickel City crew, with Mead adding a pair of tallies just 31 seconds apart later in the frame.
The team closed out round robin play on a high, tripling Ajax-Pickering 6-2 as Linklater enjoyed her second two goal performance of the weekend. Adding single markers were Delarosbil, Livingstone, Mead and Caitlyn Ranger.
Facing the only remaining unbeaten team in the championship affair, Valley East cranked up the offense, securing a 7-4 victory over Nutri-Lawn Panthers from Gloucester.
Showcasing a very balanced attack, the champs featured six different goal scorers in the final, with only Shannon Lachance finding the back of the net on two separate occasions. Joining her in the scoring parade were teammates Caitlyn Ranger, Chelsea Clingen, Desirée Leclair, Dayna Desjardins and Samantha-Jane Odorizzi.
Also part of the banner winning group were Meagan Brouse, Bradie Grainger, Isabelle Veilleux, Brooke Hope, Jessica Honse, Fredérique Bélanger and Mary McCooeye.
