|  | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | |  | | |  | | |  | | |  | | |  | | |  | | |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | PWHL League Championship Final Weekend
April 3 - 6, 2008 • • • • • • Sunday, April 6, 5th place game
Aurora Jr. Panthers 0 Toronto Junior Aeros 3 Aeros end season on a positive note with two goals and
an assist from Heather Hughes (19)
The Aeros had trouble with the feisty Aurora squad all year but managed to figure them out in the final game of the season. The Aeros had a shaky start and took an early penalty but had a couple of excellent scoring chances and first-period net minder Lindsay Park (30) made several excellent saves. At 9:54 Jasper Thomson (57) scored the Aeros first goal after some aggressive forechecking by Whitney Kennedy (21) and Heather Hughes (19) who both earned assists. Not long after, Park came across the net to make a miraculous save on what looked like a sure goal. With the Aeros on the power play late in the period, Hughes scored at 2:34 to earn her second point of the game with assists from Kelly Babstock (2) and Nicole Alexopoulos (7). The second period featured three penalties against the Aeros and two against the Panthers, several great saves at both ends, but no scoring. The first half of the third period was much of the same but the Aeros capitalized on power play opportunity to put the game away for good at 9:50. Aurora players collapsed around their netminder and she simply couldn’t see the puck as Heather Hughes (19) scored, assisted by Kaitlyn Wheeler (17). Late in the game Aeros netminder Nicole Paniccia (37) did a great job to intercept a cross-ice pass to preserve the shutout. • • • • • • Friday, April 4, Campbell Pool Game 2
NCCP Capitals 3 Toronto Junior Aeros 2 NCCP Raiders extinguish Aeros hopes for another trip to the championship
The game was a hard-fought battle from start to finish but the Aeros didn’t seem to have much spark after their tough loss to Mississauga. You have to give the Raiders full credit though as time and again they’ve won the games they needed to put themselves in a position to win the big prize. The Aeros Leah Whittaker (27) opened the scoring at 13:39 of the first period with a ‘follow the bouncing puck’ goal that flummoxed the Raiders netminder. Nicole Alexopoulos (7) and Breanne Hadley (10) assisted. The Aeros carried the play in the first period but had few quality scoring chances and couldn’t add to their lead despite a couple of power play opportunities. The second period started badly for the Aeros as they couldn’t get the puck out of their own end and the Raiders Cobina Delaney (10) gained possession and made a nice pass to Brianna Delaney (12) who fired it into the top right corner of the net at 14:31. The Raiders took the lead on a power play goal at 11:59 as Stefanie McKeough (2) scored on a low point shot that got past the Aeros netminder. Brianna Delaney (12) and Bryanna Farris (7) assisted. After the goal the Aeros netminder made several stellar saves to keep the game close and her team responded with a power play goal at 8:22. Jasper Thomson (57) scored, assisted by Whitney Kennedy (21) and Nicole Pigeon (16). The teams traded a couple of penalties but the period ended with the game tied at 2-2. The third period started well as the Aeros were applying good pressure. However a penalty interrupted their momentum, followed up by two more penalties at 14:53 to give the Raiders a two-man advantage. The Aeros were actually doing a great job holding off the Raiders 5 on 3 but a shot from the side boards opposite the net bounced high over the Aeros netminder and Kristen MacDonald (19) batted the puck in for what turned out to be the winning goal. Cobina Delaney (10) and Bryanna Farris (7) assisted. The Aeros battled valiantly for the rest of the period but were unable to score the equalizer. • • • • • • Thursday, April 3, Campbell Pool Game 1
Toronto Junior Aeros 5 Mississauga Jr. Chiefs 6 Chiefs’ firepower too much for Aeros to handle in third period
Kelly Babstock (2) led Aeros with one goal and four assists. The Aeros came out flying and took a 2-0 lead in the first three minutes. Nicole Pigeon (16) scored the Aeros first goal at 14.48 assisted by Kelly Babstock (2). Kaitlyn Wheeler (17) notched a second at 12:36 once again assisted by Babstock. The Aeros then took two penalties followed by two by the Chiefs but there was no scoring for the balance of the period. Both teams battled hard in the second period and the Aeros staked out a 3-0 lead late in the period while on the power play. Heather Hughes (19) scored and Babstock posted her third point of the game with the helper. Less than a minute later though, the Chiefs big line was finally rewarded for their hard work as Catherine White (19) scored at 2:53 assisted by Jessica Zerafa (92) and Laura McIntosh (7). The third period appeared to start well for the Aeros but while on an early power play, their defense dangled the puck at the blue line and lost it to Jessica Zerafa (92) who fed the puck to Laura McIntosh (7) and she beat the Aeros net minder at 17:34. This was the turning point in the game as the Aeros play became panicky while the Chiefs’ confidence grew, and at 14:13 Kathleen Masaki (8) scored the equalizer assisted by Catherine White (19). However, the Aeros regained the lead shortly after at 13:26 as Wheeler (17) notched her second goal and Babstock earned her fourth assist. Mississauga was not done however as Candice Styles (44) scored a power play goal at 9:20 assisted by Kristen Richards. The Chiefs took the lead for the first time in the game at 6:58 on a goal by Zerafa, with helpers from White and Styles. Less than a minute later the Aeros battled back to tie the game as Babstock scored at 5:19, adding a goal to her four assists and Whitney Kennedy (21) provided a timely helper. At 2:02 White and Zerafa teamed up again to restore the Chiefs the lead and the Aeros just couldn’t mount a comeback in the time remaining. 
|  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | PWHL Championship Playoffs 2nd Round
Best of five series • • • • • • Tuesday, March 25, 2008, PWHL Playoffs - 2nd round, Game 4
Brampton Jr. Thunder 2 Toronto Junior Aeros 5 Aeros take the series with solid three-period effort
Once again, the Aeros dominated first period play but it took until 3:33 before the trio of Heather Grant (6), Nicole Pigeon (16) and Kelly Babstock teamed up to net the Aeros first goal. After some great work along the boards to skate through a check Pigeon sent the puck out between the legs of a Thunder player and Aeros defender Grant one-timed the puck past Thunder netminder Kendyl Valenta (30) who had no chance on the play. The Aeros continued to press but Valenta was doing everything she could to keep her team in the game. Unlike the previous game though, the Aeros took a lead into the second period. The Aeros made it a two-goal lead at 11:21 of the second period on a nice goal by Amber Welch (11) assisted by Brianne Hadley (10) and Amanda Kirwan (18). While the Aeros controlled the play they couldn’t add to their lead and got burned on a sloppy goal at 3:33 scored by Tenecia Hiller (16), assisted by Julie Allen (22) and Tanya Lamon (19). Toward the end of the period the Aeros ended up with a two- man advantage but there wasn’t much time remaining in the period to mount an attack and the period ended with the Aeros clinging to a one-goal lead. At the beginning of the third period the Aeros took a penalty to negate their 5 on 3 advantage and then took another penalty but the Thunder weren’t able to capitalize either. With the teams at even strength, tenacious forechecking by Nicole Pigeon (16) resulted in her winning the puck and scoring unassisted at 13:12 to give the Aeros some much needed breathing space. Brampton took another penalty mid-way through the period and paid the price at 9:24 as Leah Whittaker (27) sent the puck along the ice from the blue line and it found the far corner of the Thunder net. Heather Hughes (19) and Sash Nanji (4) assisted. With a three-goal lead the Aeros got a little sloppy and the Thunder took advantage as Julie Allen (22) scored at 4:03, assisted by Vanessa Schabkar (2) and Rachel Cracower (27). Brampton wasn’t making things easy for themselves though as 30 seconds later they took a penalty and the Aeros quickly scored to restore their three-goal advantage. Kelly Babstock (2) scored at 3:19 assisted by Kaitlyn Wheeler (17) and Heather Grant (6). Despite a late Aeros penalty the game ended with the Aeros winning 5-2 and they now move on to the PWHL Championship weekend. • • • • • • Tuesday, March 18, 2008, PWHL Playoffs - 2nd round, Game 3
Brampton Jr. Thunder 3 Toronto Junior Aeros 2 Aeros waste solid first period effort and Thunder storm back
to take game 3 The game started quietly but the Aeros quickly asserted themselves and play took place in the Thunder end for most of the first period. Kaitlyn Wheeler (17) opened the scoring at 11:20 for the Aeros with help from Kelly Babstock (2) and Nicole Pigeon (16). Late in the period Brampton salvaged a poor first period with a tying goal at 1:13 by Victoria Gouge (87), assisted by Lauren Gilpin (17). As with game one, Brampton was penalized frequently in the second period but the Aeros power play was ineffective and the go-ahead goal from Brampton was actually a short-handed marker at 8:17. Tanya Lamon (19) scored, assisted by Brittany Westlake (4) and Brittany Metcalfe (11). The Aeros lacked intensity for the balance of the period but they survived to the end just one-goal down. Brampton took their first of two penalties to start the third period but the Aeros power play continued to be ineffective. Game one OT hero Sasha Nanji (4) came close to tying the game but riffled the puck off the post. With the period half over, the Thunder took a two goal lead on a weak shot that squeaked in under the Aeros’ goalie’s pad. Tenecia Hiller (16) scored what turned out to be the winning goal for Brampton. The Aeros Leah Whitaker (27) narrowed the Thunder lead to one goal at 1:52, assisted by Nicole Pigeon (16) and Kaitlyn Wheeler (17) and the Aeros battled hard to the end of the game but the Thunder held off their late charge to stay alive in the best of five series. • • • • • • Sunday, March 16, 2008, PWHL Playoffs - 2nd round, Game 2
Toronto Junior Aeros 3 Brampton Jr. Thunder 2 Thunder claw back 2 goals in third period but comeback falls short
as Aeros hang on to take 2-0 series lead The Aeros came out of the starting gate hard and dominated the first period. Heather Hughes (19) was a force to be reckoned with all game and opened the scoring with a power play goal at 13:11, assisted by Kaitlyn Wheeler (17) and Sasha Nanji (4). The teams traded penalties for the balance of the period but neither could capitalize as both netminders were solid. The Aeros started the second period in a defensive posture backing into their own end and playing the box even though the teams were skating 5 on 5. The Aeros were able to regroup, forcing a Brampton penalty but the ensuing power play was ineffective and the momentum shifted back to the Thunder. However, the Aeros kept working hard and, at 3:19, were rewarded for their effort when Whitney Kennedy (21) won the face off straight back to Jasper Thomson (57) who sent the puck along the ice and slipped it under the screened Brampton netminder. Thomson almost made it 3-0 for the Aeros at the beginning of the third period but fired the puck of the crossbar. The Aeros continued to press but kept shooting at the Brampton goalie, hitting the post, or missing the net entirely until 9:46, when Amanda Kirwan (18) scored a weird goal as she backhanded the puck from the far boards and somehow beat the Thunder goalie. Whitney Kennedy (21) and Jasper Thomson (57) assisted. Shortly after, the Aeros took a penalty and Brampton capitalized at 9:11, just 22 seconds into the penalty, to breathe some life into their game. Lauren Gilpin (17) scored, assisted by Alyssa Belliveau (12). The Thunder picked up their tempo after the goal and with 3 minutes left in the game pulled their goalie in favour of an extra attacker. Not long after, Brampton looked like they had narrowed the lead to one goal but the referee disallowed the score as the net was off it moorings. Brampton did score at 2:40, off the stick of a player who was standing behind the Aeros goalie in the crease. Krista Dermott (14) scored, assisted by Blaire MacDonald (7). The Thunder kept battling to the end of the period but the Aeros held them off to take a 2-0 series lead. • • • • • • Saturday, March 15, 2008, PWHL Playoffs - 2nd round, Game 1
Brampton Jr. Thunder 2 Toronto Junior Aeros 3 (OT) Aeros take series lead with dramatic OT win
after tying game late in third period The Aeros won the opening face-off and the game continued to go their way as Brampton almost scored on their own net and, a couple of minutes later, the Aeros missed a wide open Brampton net. At 11:21 Whitney Kennedy (21) opened the scoring for the Aeros with help from Heather Hughes (19) and Jasper Thomson (57). Things were looking good for the Aeros as they dominated the balance of the first period. However, the Aeros couldn’t add to their lead and netminder Lindsay Park (30) was called upon to make a couple of outstanding saves to preserve the one-goal lead. The second period started off with a Brampton penalty but the Aeros couldn’t solve Thunder netminder Kendyl Valenta (30). Hughes wasn’t satisfied with the one-goal lead and manufactured several good scoring chances but Valenta was solid in denying her and, as fate would have it, Rachel Cracower (27) teamed up with Julie Allen (22) to tie the game for Brampton at 8:30. It was a somewhat unfortunate turn of events for the Aeros defense as they thwarted the initial rush but the trailer was left unguarded and pounced on the loose puck. As is usually the case, the goal energized the Thunder and five minutes later at 3:18 they scored again to take the lead. Vanessa Schabkar (2) scored for Brampton from Julie Allen (22) and Sarah Adams (15). The Aeros came on late in the period as Jenna Paulson (3) got a hard low shot through from the point and Kelly Babstock (2) got hauled down going to the net giving the Aeros a two-man advantage to end the period. The Aeros took a penalty of their own at the beginning of the third period to negate the two-man advantage and Park came up big on a Thunder breakaway to maintain the one-goal disadvantage and, although the teams traded scoring chances for the balance of the period, the Aeros held the edge in play. The Aeros looked like they were going to tie the game with just under four minutes to play but Valenta came up with a big save. But, not long after, Brampton took a penalty and Heather Hughes (19) finally scored the tying goal for the Aeros at 1:26 assisted by Sasha Nanji (4) and Kaitlyn Wheeler (17). The teams skated into the 10 minute OT and the Aeros had a couple of glorious chances early on before Sasha Nanji (4) knotted the win at 6:16, assisted by Whitney Kennedy (21).
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | OWHA Provincial Championships
February 22-24, 2008 Aeros come up short in a tough OT loss in the 2nd play-off round
losing to the eventual Provincial Champions from Stoney Creek • • • • • • Friday, February 22, 2008, Round Robin Game 1
NCCP Ottawa Capitals 3 Toronto Jr. Aeros 3 Aeros and Capitals battle to a tie in thrilling contest
This was a great game from start to finish as both teams played hard. Toronto took the lead in the third period and seemed poised to take the win but the never-say-die Capitals came back to tie the game late in the period. The Capitals proved this effort was no fluke as they continued their solid play to earn a spot in the Championship final losing to the formidable Sabres squad. • • • • • • Friday, February 22, 2008, Round Robin Game 2
Toronto Jr. Aeros 1 Markham-Stouffville Jr. Stars 1 Stars shine and ground Aeros attack
After a terrific effort in their first round robin game the Aeros posted a lackluster effort against the Stars. The Aeros faithful were hoping the team would eventually take charge but they never found their stride. With two ties in as many games the Aeros missed their chance to finish first in their pool and would need to get by the Stoney Creek Sabres to advance to the third round of the playoffs. • • • • • • Saturday, February 23, 2008, 1st Round Playoff
Brampton Jr. Thunder 2 Toronto Jr. Aeros 3 Aeros escape turbulence with narrow victory over Thunder
The Thunder came out fired up but Aeros goalie Lindsay Park (30) kept her team in the game early. The Aeros peppered the Thunder goalie with shots but she turned them all aside. The Aeros finally broke through with 33 seconds left in the first period as Kelly Babstock (2) scored off passes from Breehan Polci (AP) and Amber Welch (11). The Aeros carried the play for most of the second period but Park was called upon to preserve the Aeros lead with a nice save on a Brampton break away. With a Thunder player in the penalty box, Heather Grant (6) gave the Aeros a two-goal lead at 6:30 with a nice one-timer from the point off passes from Heather Hughes (19) and Kate Wheeler (17). As the period came to a close the Aeros took a penalty of their own and Brampton capitalized with 40 seconds left in the period to narrow the Aeros lead to one goal. The third period started with a flourish as the Aeros took an early penalty and two goals were scored on the ensuing power play. The first goal was a scintillating short-handed effort at 10:44 by Babstock for her second goal of the game. The play looked harmless enough as Babstock was kept wide by the Thunder defender but then made one of her patented toe-drag moves and jumped over the defenders stick to break free and head in on net. The Thunder goalie looked like she had things under control but Babstock showed the patience of the exceptional sniper that she is and skated across the front of the net waiting for the goalie to commit and deftly sliding the puck past her as she sprawled helplessly. Nicole Alexopoulos (7) and Leah Whittaker (27) assisted. The Thunder recovered their composure quickly however, and their shooter scored a power-play goal off her knees, once again narrowing the Aeros lead to one goal. The Aeros carried the play for the balance of the period but Park’s solid play help kept the Thunder quiet and the Aeros advanced to the second round of the playoffs for a match up against the Stoney Creek Sabres.
Saturday, February 23, 2nd Round Playoff
Toronto Jr. Aeros 2 Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres 3 (OT) Aeros lose heartbreaker in OT after tremendous effort
The Sabres have an impressive squad and their talent was evident early as they threw everything they had at the Aeros in wave after wave of attacks. The Sabres Brianne Jenner (9) almost opened the scoring for her team at 6:51 with a wicked shot off the cross bar but the relentless pressure resulted in an Aeros penalty and the Sabres scored on the ensuing power play to take a 1-0 lead at 5:17. However, at 4:47 the Aeros Nicole Pigeon (16) evened the score for the Aeros with assists from Kate Wheeler (17) and Kelly Babstock (2). Almost immediately, Aeros net minder Nicole Paniccia (37) preserved the tie with a terrific effort on a Sabres 2 on 0. And, shortly after that, the Sabres were penalized and, on the ensuing powerplay, Nicole Alexopoulos (7) scored at 1:45 to give the Aeros their first lead of the game. Whitney Kennedy (21) assisted. Both teams put forth spirited efforts in the second period but the Aeros got burned late in the period as a defender got too aggressive on the power play and the Sabres struck for the tying goal at 3:46. The Aeros started the third period well enough but it quickly became clear that the Sabres relentless attack was starting to wear them down. Both teams had their chances throughout the period and as regulation time came to an end the Sabres goalie made a deft toe save to preserve the tie. The Sabres’ Jenner shot the puck toward the open Aeros net but it careened off the helmet of an Aeros defender. The teams headed into overtime and Kelly Sabatine (16) ended the contest at 24 seconds to send the Sabres into the third round of the playoffs.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | No reports available for the following games. Sunday, February 17, 2008, PWHL League Game
Toronto Junior Aeros 4 at NCCP Ottawa Capitals 5 Saturday, February 16, 2008, PWHL League Game
Toronto Junior Aeros 4 at NCCP Ottawa Capitals 2 Sunday, February 10, 2008, PWHL League Game
Mississauga Junior Chiefs 4 at Toronto Junior Aeros 1 Saturday, February 9, 2008, PWHL League Game
Whitby Junior Wolves 0 at Toronto Junior Aeros 2 Friday, February 8, 2008, PWHL League Game
Toronto Junior Aeros 5 at Stoney Creek Junior Sabres 6
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Monday, February 4, 2008, PWHL League Game
Toronto Junior Aeros 1 - Cambridge Junior Fury 6 Cambridge Too Fast and Furious for Aeros
This would be the second meeting of the season between these two teams. The first time was way back on November 3, 2007 when the Aeros came away in the highly competitive fast-paced battle with a 5-3 victory. The rematch didn’t come close to equaling the intensity level of Game One as the Aeros came out flat-footed to play a very uninspired game. Aeros managed to scrape through the first period surviving a barrage of 15 Cambridge shots, thanks to some solid goaltending by Nicole Paniccia (37), and headed for the second period tied at zero. The middle stanza would not be one to write home about for the Aeros as they turned in what probably was their worst effort of any given period throughout the entire season. Cambridge came out and totally dominated the Aeros in every aspect of the game and when all was said and done at the end of the 15:00 period Cambridge had outshot the Aeros 19-2 and outscored them 3-1. The only positive thing that happened for the Aeros was that after falling behind 3-0 they did manage to score a late period goal. With 1:01 left on the clock, Amber Welch (11) picked up a loose puck at the side of the net and lifted it over the sprawled out Fury netminder. Helping out on the Aeros only goal of the game was Kate Wheeler (17) and Kelly Babstock (2). The Aeros used the late marker as a motivational lift which worked for much of the first half of the third period but, on their many opportunities to score, they were continuously turned aside by the steady Cambridge netminder who would stop a total of 16 Aeros’ shots over the final 20 minutes. While Cambridge weathered the storm in the first 10:00, they slowly but surely gained control back from the Aeros and once again started to dominate the Aeros around the puck. This change in momentum led to the Fury striking for three more goals at 6:12, 3:11, and 1:04 respectively to close out one of the Aeros’ biggest losses in their history - a 6-1 shellacking at the hands of the Fury. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Sunday, February 3, 2008, PWHL League Game
Toronto Junior Aeros 0 - Stoney Creek Junior Sabres 3 Sabres Out-Duel Aeros
The much anticipated first meeting of the season between the two teams in the league would be played out in a Sunday afternoon tilt between the (22-2-2) Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres and the host (20-4-1) Toronto Junior Aeros. Throughout the game both teams showed great skill and determination but it would be two Aeros’ pinch-ins which allowed two odd man rushes going the other way that Stoney Creek cashed in on which was probably the difference in the game, putting Stoney Creek up by a 2-0 early into the middle frame. By the time the period ended the Aeros found themselves down 3-0 after Stoney Creek capitalized on a late power play. The teams traded chances in the third period but neither side could find the back of the net. The final shots on net would favour the visiting Stoney Creek team by a 31-21 count and more importantly the 3-0 victory for Stoney Creek over their second place rivals.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Sunday, January 27, 2008, PWHL League Game
Toronto Junior Aeros 7 - Burlington Junior Barracudas 2 Aeros Hook into Barracudas for Win
This very entertaining contest which featured many momentum shifts throughout, was the second meeting of the season between these two clubs, with the Aeros coming out on top in the first game with a 2-0 shutout victory. The first period was evenly played, with both sides showing good energy, but it was the Aeros who were able to finish on well-executed plays as they cashed in on three of their nine shots on goal, while Burlington could not beat the Aeros netminder, Lindsey Park (30) on their 8 shots. The opening goal was scored at the 12:32 mark of the period while the Aeros were enjoying a man advantage. Heather Grant (6) set up the back door play to Heather Hughes (19) who made no mistake in quickly knifing the puck to the back of the net. Adding the extra helper on the play was Kelly Babstock (2). The Aeros went up by two 2:23 later when Jasper Thomson (57) put in a strong effort to steal the puck deep in Burlington’s end and score on the wraparound. Kelly Babstock (2) scored late in the period with her team shorthanded, finishing off an end-to-end rush with a ‘How do ya do’ dangle on the final ‘D’ before roofing the disk on the deke. Adding a helper on the final tally of the period was Nicole Pigeon (16). ‘Run and Gun’ would be the name of the game in the middle stanza with both clubs charging end to end and trading many outstanding scoring chances. The Aeros took a 4-0 lead at the 10:44 mark after Sasha Nanji (4) completed a 3-on-1 rush by jamming home the rebound off a Whitney Kennedy (21) shot. Adding the extra helper on the rush was Amber Welch (11). Burlington didn't fold up the tents just yet, however, as they quickly countered on a 3-on-1 rush of their own sixty seconds later while on the power play to make it 4-1, and before the period ended they would strike again on the power play, converting on a goal mouth scramble after 2 or 3 whacks at the loose puck to cut their deficit in half and going into the third period down 4-2. In the third frame Burlington did everything they could to keep the Aeros on their heels for most of the opening 14 minutes, but could not find a way to beat Toronto netminder Lindsey Park (30), who stopped all 12 shots fired at her in the final period. Toronto got three goals to break the game wide open in the final five minutes of play. Starting it off was Kelly Babstock (2) with her second goal of the game, assisted from Nicole Pigeon (16) and Kate Wheeler (17) at 5:04. Following at the 1:13 mark was Heather Hughes (19) who lifted the puck up over the sprawling Burlington netminder from in close on the rebound off a Whitney Kennedy (21) shot, and capping it off with an unassisted empty netter was Nicole Alexopoulos (7) for an Aeros 7-2 victory.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Saturday, January 26, 2008, PWHL League Game
Toronto Junior Aeros 9 - Markham-Stouffville Junior Stars 1 Aeros Shoot-out the Stars
In their second meeting of the season (the previous game being a low intensity and uninspiring contest in which the Aeros came out with a 5-1 victory), the Aeros dominated from the drop of the puck to the final buzzer. Toronto outshot their opponents by a 41-13 count with a better effort all around than in their first meeting with the Stars. After two periods the Aeros held a comfortable 3-0 lead and in the third they opened up the flood gates and struck for 6 goals on 17 shots to run away with the 9-1 shellacking. The Aeros’ scorers were as follows:
Heather Hughes (19) from Heather Grant (6) and Jasper Thomson (57)
Amber Welch (11) from Sasha Nanji (4) and Nicole Alexopoulos (7)
Sasha Nanji (4) unassisted
Kate Wheeler (17) from Nicole Pigeon (16) and Jenna Paulson (3)
Jasper Thomson (57) from Heather Hughes (19)
Whitney Kennedy (21) from Heather Hughes (19)
Nicole Pigeon (16) from Sasha Nanji (4) and Kelly Babstock (2)
Kelly Babstock (2) from Nicole Pigeon (16) and Kate Wheeler (17)
Amber Welch (11) from Nicole Alexopoulos (7) and Breanne Hadley (10)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Sunday, January 20, 2008, PWHL League Game
Toronto Junior Aeros 5 - Whitby Junior Wolves 0 Aeros Silence the Wolves’ Howl
The (17-4-1) Aeros headed for Whitby to face the (11-10-4) Wolves for the first time this season. The first period opened up slowly and methodically with both sides feeling each other out; only occasionally would there be a few quick outbursts of energy from both teams although some good scoring chances were generated. Toronto was the first to score at the 13:31 mark after a hard-low point shot from Jenna Paulson (3) was stopped but not controlled by the Wolves’ netminder, which allowed Kate Wheeler (17) to jump on the rebound and stuff the puck to the back of the net. Also helping out was Amber Welch (11). Whitby outshot the Aeros over the opening fifteen minutes 11-10 but could not put one by the steady Toronto netminder, Lindsey Park (30) and, at the other end, the Wolves’ goalie was just as sharp, turning aside 9 of 10 shots fired at her to keep her team close going into the second period only down 1-0. Throughout the middle stanza the Aeros continued to play at a low intensity level and Whitby matched them shot for shot, with both teams registering nine shots apiece in the second frame. Once again the Aeros Lindsey Park (30) had to be sharp on more than a few occasions as Whitby took advantage of the lackadaisical Aeros on several occasions, showing some explosive speed and creating good scoring chances on the rush. At the 9:40 mark of the period the Aeros went up by two on a rebound after Heather Hughes (19) fired a rocket shot that the Wolves’ netminder again could not control and Nicole Alexopoulos (7) found herself in the right spot at the right time to deposit the rebound into the wide open cage. The two goaltenders continued to turn aside shot after shot in the remaining nine-and-a-half minutes and the two teams headed to their respective dressing rooms with the Aeros holding a 2-0 lead and the host, Whitby Wolves, outshooting their opponents 20-19 after two periods. Lackluster play continued into the third period with neither team able to register a shot on goal until five minutes in. Midway through the final frame the Aeros struck on two consecutive shots only 41 seconds apart to take a stranglehold on the contest. Whitney Kennedy (21) got the action going with a strong steal inside the Whitby line, cutting to the net and firing a wrist shot on goal that was turned aside by the Wolves’ netminder; Nicole Alexopoulos (7) found the rebound and chipped the puck up and over the sprawling keeper for her second goal of the contest. Just 0:41 later Kate Wheeler (17) scored her second of the game after receiving a dish-off at centre from Amber Welch (11), accelerating wide over the blueline, cutting in around the Wolves’ defenceman and jamming one past the Whitby netminder. Also helping out on the 4-0 goal was Heather Hughes (19). Whitby, feeling the onslaught, called a time-out following the Aeros’ fourth goal and this seemed to stop the bleeding for a while. For several minutes after the timeout, the Aeros were unable to penetrate the Wolves zone enough to create a shot on net. Then, at the 5:56 mark, while Whitby had the man advantage and a face off deep in Toronto territory, the Wolves elected to pull their goalie for a 6 on 4 attack. The risky call backfired as Sasha Nanji (4) got puck control and quickly sent the puck deep behind the Wolves ‘D’ where Heather Hughes (19), anticipating the play, bolted through centre, picked up the loose disk and proceeded in all alone to deposit the puck into the vacant net for the shorthanded goal. The Aeros outshot their opponents 7-6 in the third period and, at the final buzzer, came away with a 5-0 victory. Aeros’ netminder, Lindsey Park (30), earned her fifth shutout on the year in a well-deserved 26-save performance.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Saturday, January 19, 2008, PWHL League Game
Toronto Junior Aeros 5 - Aurora Junior Panthers 2 Aeros Cage the Panthers
These two clubs would face-off for the second time this season with Aurora winning the first matchup by a 3-1 score. The opening period was played at a somewhat cumbersome pace as both teams played a conservative style while 5 on 5. It was a different story, however, when the two teams got on the powerplay. The Aeros registered 7 of their 10 shots on their two powerplays in the period showing good control and puck movement although not able to beat the Aurora netminder. The Panthers registered 2 of their 4 shots on their two powerplay chances in the opening frame and were able to beat the Toronto netminder once while with the man-advantage. That opening goal scored at the 6:19 mark would come off a blocked Aurora point shot that found its way right on the stick of a Panther in the slot and was quickly deposited to the back of the cage for the only goal of the opening period. Special teams played a huge role in the middle stanza as well, with the home team, Aeros, striking for a powerplay marker and a short-handed goal while Aurora would again cash in on another powerplay opportunity. The Aeros got the even-up goal at the 10:55 mark while on the powerplay off a screened cannon shot from the point off the stick of Leah Whittaker (27). Adding the helper on the tying goal was Jasper Thomson (57). The Panthers would pounce back quickly at the 8:41 mark while enjoying a long 5 on 3 opportunity off a Seeing Eye point shot that ricocheted off a couple of obstructions before finding its way into the back of the Aeros’ net for the go-ahead marker. This lead, however, would be short-lived as the Aeros would show great resilience while killing off the remainder of the second infraction. Heather Hughes (19) created a turnover just outside the Aurora blueline, streaked in on the breakaway and beat the Panther’s netminder for the unassisted short-handed marker only twenty-nine seconds after Aurora had taken the lead. The final eight minutes of the period would play out with no further scoring and both teams would head into the dressing rooms tied 2-2. With a fresh sheet of ice on which to skate, the Aeros came out firing on all cylinders in the opening minutes of the third period, bagging two goals before the ice had completely frozen. Heather Hughes (19) would get things rolling on the powerplay; after a nice dangle inside the Aurora zone created some space, she deposited the disk five-hole on the Panther netminder for her second tally of the match. Assisting on the eventual game winning goal was Breanne Hadley (10). Exactly one minute later Hughes would be at it again, capping off her natural hat trick with a low slap shot from the top of the circle which found the corner of the net just inside the post to give Toronto some breathing room. Adding the helpers on the Aeros’ 4-2 goal were Sasha Nanji (4) and Kate Wheeler (17). Toronto tied a leash on the Panthers at the 11:56 mark of the third period when Whitney Kennedy (21) executed a well placed cross-ice pass onto the tape of Nicole Alexopoulos (7) in the slot; Alexopoulos finished with a well placed wrist shot that beat the Aurora netminder high glove. Adding the extra helper on the 5-2 marker was Amanda Kirwan (18). The Aeros, appearing content with their three goal lead, shut their engines down and put it on cruise control for the remaining twelve minutes of the game, only able to penetrate the Panther zone on a few occasions the rest of the way. With the Aeros sitting back, Aurora controlled most of the territorial play in the final half of the period, spending most of their time in Toronto’s end. The Aeros battened down the hatches and played tight defensively, not allowing Aurora any good scoring chances. At the buzzer, the Aeros came on top 5-2 while outshooting the visiting Panthers by a 28-14 count. Both squads’ powerplay units looked good with Aurora’s powerplay clicking on 2 of 8 chances (25%) and the Aeros going 3 for 7 on their powerplays, a 43% clip.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Sunday, January 13, 2008, PWHL League Game
Toronto Junior Aeros 5 - Windsor Junior Wildcats 1 Aeros Tame Wildcats
Both squads came out of the gates to set a good pace in the teams’ second meeting of the season. The Aeros earned the ‘W’ by coming out on top in a 7-0 decision earlier in the year. The visiting Wildcats drew first blood after capitalizing on a terrible defensive zone giveaway by the Aeros while Toronto was on the powerplay. The short-handed marker by Windsor came at 12:48 of the opening period and gave the Wildcat skaters an extra lift by scoring on the game’s first shot on net to take the early lead in the contest. Toronto evened things up less than three minutes later with Amanda Kirwan (18) starting the rush up ice and, showing great vision, spotting and hitting Whitney Kennedy (21) with a nice diagonal cross-ice pass in full stride. Kennedy crossed the blueline streaking down the left side and beat the Wildcat netminder with a nice deke. Adding an additional helper on the tying marker was Aeros’ netminder Lindsey Park (30) who started the play with a drop pass to Kirwan behind the Toronto net. Although the opening 14:50 of period one was even on the scoreboard, the Aeros held the edge in shots 10-2. Late in the period, however, Sasha Nanji (4) changed the momentum of the game with an unassisted powerplay marker when she exploded from her spot at the Windsor blueline, deked a couple defenders and, from in close, lifted a laser shot under the crossbar to put the Aeros up 2-1 with only 0:10 remaining. After that goal, Toronto never looked back and pretty well controlled the remainder of the game. The Aeros scored early, 34 seconds into the second period, when Nicole Pigeon (16) feathered a pass out front from behind the net to Kelly Babstock (2) who quickly deposited the puck to the back of the cage. Helping out on the Aeros’ third goal of the game was linemate Kate Wheeler (17). Six minutes later, Kate Wheeler (17) would contribute once again, this time setting up Heather Hughes (19) with the stretch pass. Hughes received the pass and bolted in from the Windsor blueline to snap a wicked wrist shot to the roof of the Windsor net to put the Aeros up 4-1. The Wildcats called a time-out at the 6:43 mark to slow down the Aeros momentum and for the remainder of the period it seemed to work as Toronto was shut down the rest of the way, although the Wildcats were not able to counter with any good scoring chances of their own. The score would be 4-1 at the buzzer with the Aeros holding the edge in shots 14-5 in the middle frame. Most of the third period chances came off both teams’ powerplays. The Aeros got 7 of their 14 shots with the man-advantage and Windsor got 4 of their 6 shots while enjoying a 5:00 powerplay, but neither team could bulge the twine with the extra skater. At the 13:48 mark the Aeros struck for the only goal of the period when Sasha Nanji (4), leading an end-to-end rush, wove around defenders the length of the ice before dishing off a cross-crease pass to a wide open Nicole Pigeon (16) who made no mistake in driving the puck into the gaping cage. Both goaltenders stole the show in the final 13 minutes with the Wildcats’ netminder stopping all 11 shots and the Aeros’ Lindsey Park (30) having to be sharp to prevent Windsor from scoring on their 5:00 powerplay. At the final buzzer the Aeros left the ice with a 5-1 victory over the visiting Wildcats.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Sunday, January 6, 2008, PWHL League Game
Toronto Junior Aeros 5 - Markham-Stouffville Junior Stars 1 Aeros win in spite of uninspired effort
The (12-4-1) Aeros would be matched up with the (3-14-3) Markham Stouffville Stars for the first time this season. Both teams got off to a sluggish start with neither team able to get in a groove or get any flow going in the opening frame. The Aeros were guilty on many occasions of some sloppy play by giving the puck away too many times in their own end and trying to complete long passes from their zone to neutral ice which were often easily picked off by the Stars. On their only powerplay of the period Toronto converted off a Sasha Nanji (4) end-to-end rush which she finished off with a perfectly executed deke for the unassisted lead off marker. The Toronto lead however would be short-lived as the Stars countered only 35 seconds later off one of the aforementioned Aeros’ defensive zone giveaways, in which the Stars’ player found herself all alone and made no mistake in roofing the puck past the Toronto netminder for the equalizer. The second half of period one was played out at a continued leisurely pace with neither team generating much in the way of scoring chances. The first period would come to an end with the two clubs knotted at 1. The Aeros pace picked up slightly in the second period but not even close to the high intensity, quick flowing game that fans have been accustomed to. Less than a minute in, Aeros’ goaltender Nicole Paniccia (37) had to come up large on a breakaway attempt by the Stars to deny the Stars’ shooter of the go-ahead marker and prevent what would have been a huge momentum goal for Markham-Stouffville. As the period progressed, the Aeros started finding ways to produce more scoring chances and the continued offensive pressure resulted in the go-ahead goal at the 7:27 mark. Sasha Nanji (4) started the rush from the Aeros’ end and fired a pinpoint cross-ice diagonal pass right on the tape of Heather Hughes’ (19) stick. Hughes received the pass in full stride and, powering by the Stars’ defender, cut to the net to slide the disk five-hole for what would eventually be the game winning goal. Then, four minutes later, as the Aeros kept peppering the Stars’ netminder with shots, they struck for the insurance marker. Nicole Alexopoulos (7) was the architect of the goal, showing blinding speed on the rush and getting off a nice shot which the Stars’ netminder had difficulty controlling. The Aeros’ Amber Welch (11) followed the shot to the net and found herself “Johnny-on-the-spot” for the rebound which she slid over the line. Also helping out on the Aeros’ third goal was Sasha Nanji (4). That would be it for scoring in the second period and with the Aeros outshooting their opponents 16-3 in the frame they took a 3-1 lead into the final period. Finding themselves down by two, Markham-Stouffville picked up the pace in the third and managed to create more scoring chances in the final period than they had in the previous two but were unable to find any cracks in Aeros’ netminder Nicole Paniccia’s (37) armor. And, while the Aeros weren’t playing at their best, they did continue to generate scoring chances as they recorded 14 more shots and struck for two more goals during the third period. Kelly Babstock (2) got the Aeros’ fourth goal after she was sprung free for a breakaway by a Kate Wheeler (17) pass up the middle to make a quick deceptive deke on the Stars’ netminder and bury the forehand to the back of the cage. Just three minutes after the Aeros had seemingly sewn the game up by a 4-1 score, a Stars’ shooter found herself all alone with nothing but net to shoot at after a goal mouth scramble and, if not for an energetic diving sweep check by the Aeros’ Nicole Pigeon (16), the final few minutes would definitely have been made more interesting. With just over six minutes left in the game the Aeros’ Heather Hughes (19) set up Jasper Thomson (57) inside the Stars’ blueline with a tape-to-tape pass and Thomson burst past the Stars’ defender for the partial breakaway and snapped a quick wrist shot under the bar for the Aeros’ fifth goal. Also helping out on the final tally of the game was Whitney Kennedy (21). In what would prove to be not one of the Aeros’ greatest efforts on the season they did however leave with the 5-1 decision while outshooting their hosts 28-15.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Saturday, January 5, 2008, PWHL League Game
Toronto Junior Aeros 3 - Brampton Junior Thunder 4 Aeros feel the Thunder in Brampton upset
The Junior Aeros played host to the Brampton Junior Thunder, this contest being the fourth game this season between the two clubs with the Aeros coming away with victories in all the previous meetings. Unlike their last contest, however, two weeks ago in which the Aeros had their way with Brampton in a 10-2 tilt, the Thunder came out and displayed great resilience in outworking Toronto for most of the game. Both teams came out of the gates setting a brisk pace to the match but it was Brampton who got the early lift, going up 1-0 off a scramble in the Aeros’ end at the 9:30 mark. The lead which gave the Thunder some extra jump in their step would be short-lived, however, as the Aeros’ Kelly Babstock (2) took advantage of a turnover at the Brampton blueline, got the puck to the net and, on her rebound, managed to lift the puck up and over the Thunder netminder for the tying goal less than two minutes after the Brampton goal. Play continued end-to-end with both teams trading chances and, with three minutes left on the clock, the Aeros struck with a howitzer slap shot from the point off the stick of Leah Whittaker (27) which skimmed off the Brampton netminder’s blocker and sailed under the bar. Getting a helper on the Aeros’ go-ahead goal was Kelly Babstock (2) The period ended with the host team outshooting their visitors by a 13-10 tally. Although the Aeros outshot their opponents 10-6 in the middle frame, they couldn’t buy a goal against the sharp Brampton netminder. The Thunder were gaining momentum from the good saves and started to win most of the individual battles for loose pucks as they continued to play hard. This contagious hard work and determination would eventually pay off for Brampton as they jumped on a bad Aeros’ clearing attempt, took the puck hard to the net and got the equalizer at the 8:41 mark. The final minutes played out with no further scoring and both teams headed to the third period deadlocked at two apiece. The Aeros came out and capitalized on an early powerplay at the 15:04 mark with Breanne Hadley (10), sending the disk through the wickets on the rebound off an Amber Welch (11) shot from the slot. Also helping out on the go-ahead goal was linemate Nicole Alexopoulos (7). Although the early powerplay marker by Toronto put Brampton behind once again, it did not deter the Thunder players as they bounced back 42 seconds later to outmuscle the Aeros in a goal mouth scramble and deposit a rebound to the back of the net to tie the game up at three apiece. The third Brampton goal went right to their feet and for the remaining 14:00 of the game they outskated, outworked and outshot (10-5) the Aeros. With just over seven minutes remaining the teams found themselves in a 4 on 4 situation and, with the Thunder showing good speed, they smoothly scored on a 2 on 1 rush for the go-ahead marker with 6:46 left on the clock. That would be all she wrote for the home squad Aeros, who could not lift their play up to Brampton’s level the rest of the way. One last ditch effort by the Aeros late in the game with their goalie out for the extra attacker produced a slight ray of hope in a goal scrum but the Aeros couldn’t get the puck over the red line for the tying goal. Suffering the 4-3 loss would mark the first time this season the Aeros had lost two straight games. Hats off to the Brampton Junior Thunder for a great display of speed, determination and hard work in their well deserved victory.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Sunday, December 23, 2007, PWHL League Game
Toronto Junior Aeros 0 - Mississauga Junior Chiefs 3 Aeros Scoring Machine Shut Down by Chiefs
The Aeros played their final game of 2007 against the Mississauga Chiefs as they wrapped up a three games in three nights string. Although the Aeros outshot their opponents 30-13 in the contest, the Chiefs would bend but not break and were able to capitalize on three Toronto defensive lapses while getting stellar play from their netminder over the course of the game. The game started slowly with both teams feeling each other out and it would not be until the 1:43 mark that the Chiefs would score off an Aeros’ defensive zone breakdown to head into the second period up 1-0. Period two would be the most entertaining frame of the contest, as the Aeros outshot their hosts 13-5 with plenty of speed and skill on display but, once again, midway through the second period Mississauga cashed in on a scoring chance as they caught the Aeros’ defenders flat footed in their own end to double their lead. Trailing by two going into the third frame, the Aeros mounted a good effort in the final stanza but could not solve the Mississauga netminder. Toronto once more outshot their opponents in the third but, again, it was Mississauga who struck on an Aeros’ miscue. During an Aeros powerplay a Chiefs player caused a turnover at the Mississauga blueline and exploded up the ice on a shorthanded breakaway which was stopped masterfully by Aeros’ netminder Nicole Paniccia (37); however, the ensuing rebound was deposited in the back of the Toronto goal by a speedy Mississauga trailer who managed to outrace the Aeros’ backchecker to the net to give the Chief the decisive 3-0 victory.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Saturday, December 22, 2007, PWHL League Game
Toronto Junior Aeros 6 - Oakville Junior Ice 1 Aeros Melt the Ice with Scorching Victory
Playing their second game in as many nights, the Aeros hosted Oakville. The game marked the third meeting between these two clubs this season with Toronto coming away with two victories in the previous two matchups, by scores of 2-1 and 4-1. Period one got off to a very quick pace with both teams having good energy levels, although the Aeros were the more dominant team, being able to generate lots of scoring chances while holding the Ice to only three shots on net over the period. The Oakville netminder stood on her head for most of the first period keeping her team close while turning aside 12 of the Aeros’ 13 shots on net. It wasn’t until the 8:26 mark, while Toronto was enjoying a man-advantage, that the home team was able to put the puck past the Oakville goalie. After a hard point shot from the stick of Leah Whittaker (27) was stopped, Jasper Thomson (57) pounced on the rebound; though Thomson was denied by the opposing netminder, Nicole Alexopoulos (7) was on hand to bury the second rebound five-hole to the back of the cage for the opening tally. Contrary to expectations, Oakville controlled most of the play in the second period, getting many more scoring chances. By outskating their hosts, the Ice were able to fire 10 shots on goal but could not beat the Aeros’ netminder Lindsey Park (30) for the tying marker. Only able to generate a measly six shots on goal, the Aeros made the most of their opportunities, lighting the red light three times in the final 5:00 of the middle frame. Kelly Babstock (2) scored the eventual game winner with a steal at the Oakville blueline that left her all alone on the rush 1 on 1 with the Oakville netminder and made no mistake on a pretty deke for the Aeros’ second goal. Sasha Nanji (4) scored only 19 seconds later to put the Aeros up by three with her patented weave through multiple defenders before sliding the disk five hole for the unassisted marker. Seconds before the buzzer to signal the end of the second period, the Aeros’ Amber Welch (11) struck while shorthanded on a 1 on 2 rush, making a nice move around the first defender and, using the last defender as a screen, buried a hard wrister top shelf at the 0:20 mark. Helping out was Nicole Alexopoulos (7). The Aeros carried the 4-0 lead into the third period and played a very sound game the rest of the way. Nicole Alexopoulos (7) got her second goal of the game at the 14:01 mark after deflecting a shot from Leah Whittaker (27) past the Ice netminder - getting the extra helper on the play was Jenna Paulson (3). The Aeros’ sixth and final goal was scored on a 2 on 1 effort; Heather Hughes (19) dished the puck off to linemate Jasper Thomson (57) who quickly snapped the disk top shelf short side. With time running down only one question remained to be answered and with only 1:32 left in the game Oakville answered it on the powerplay with a hard point shot finding the top corner of the net, spoiling the Aeros’ efforts to preserve the shut-out.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Friday, December 21, 2007, PWHL League Game
Toronto Junior Aeros 10 - Brampton Junior Thunder 2 Aeros Win Blowout in Brampton
The Aeros opened up a busy weekend schedule with three games on tap before the holiday break against the Brampton Junior Thunder. This game would be the third meeting between the two clubs with the Aeros coming out on top previously by 2-1 and 4-1 scores. This time around proved to be no contest as the visiting Aeros completely dominated their opponents throughout the game and held an enormous 10-0 lead late in the third period. A let down in the final six minutes of the game by the Aeros allowed Brampton to score two markers in a 24 second span, spoiling Toronto’s bid for the shut-out and the lopsided tilt ended with a final score of 10-2. The Aeros’ scorers were as follows: Period One
11:21 - Whitney Kennedy (21) from Heather Grant (6) and Heather Hughes (19)
10:13 - Sasha Nanji (4) unassisted.
0:02 - Breanne Hadley (10) (pp) from Whitney Kennedy (21) (empty net) Period Two
10:32 - Kate Wheeler (17) from Kelly Babstock (2) and Amanda Kirwan (18)
5:33 - Amanda Kirwan (18) unassisted
4:32 - Nicole Alexopoulos (7) from Kelly Babstock (2)
0:48 - Nicole Alexopoulos (7) (pp) from Kelly Babstock (2) and Leah Whittaker (27) Period Three
18:33 - Ellen Brandt (AP - Midget Aeros) (24) from Kelly Babstock (2)
9:50 - Whitney Kennedy (21) (pp) from Jenna Paulson (3) and Leah Whittaker (27)
6:22 - Kelly Babstock (2) unassisted.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Saturday, December 8, 2007, PWHL League Game
Toronto Junior Aeros 6 - Durham Junior Lightning 3 Aeros Produce Some Thunder in Game vs Lightning
The (9-2-1) Aeros played host for their first meeting of the season versus the (9-2-3) Durham Junior Lightning. Both squads set a torrid pace in the opening frame showing great speed and determination, although the shot total was kept low by outstanding defensive play at both ends of the rink. The only puck to find its way behind an opposing goaltender came at the 10:46 mark when Aeros’ Nicole Alexopoulos (7) put on a great display of tenacity in stripping a Lightning player of the puck in the neutral zone to set herself up for a 1-on-1 confrontation with a Durham defender. Alexopoulos put in a good second effort to out-battle the Lightning ‘D’ and showed a pair of soft hands in chipping the puck five-hole on the deke for the opening goal of the game. At the 4:11 mark, Durham had a great breakaway scoring chance off an Aeros’ giveaway, but netminder Nicole Paniccia (37) was up for the challenge as she stoned the Lightning shooter to preserve her team’s one goal lead. The fast and furious pace continue throughout the middle stanza with neither team showing any signs of fatigue. The offence of both teams started to weed through the other’s tight defences and more than doubled their scoring chances in the second period. Mid-way thrugh the period, the Aeros cashed in on a five-on-three opportunity as Nicole Alexopoulos (7) deposited her second goal of the game into the wide open net after receiving a quick pass out of the corner by Whitney Kennedy (21). Adding the extra helper on the 2-0 goal was Heather Hughes (19). Aeros' two goal lead would be short-lived however as Durham struck for a powerplay marker of their own 3:29 seconds later. The Lightning smelled blood and cranked their game up another notch for the rest of the period but could not beat the steady Aeros’ netminder. Two late period penalties by the Aeros would only add to Durham’s momentum for the duration of the period and into the opening minutes of the third. The two period ‘barn burner’ ended with the Aeros having a precariously slim 2-1 lead. Durham kept the pedal down into the third and jumped on a defensive zone turnover, which the Lightning shooter quickly buried into the cage to tie the game at two only 5:00 into the final frame. A steady flow of trips to the sin bin ensued and continued to the end of the game but this did not dampen the spirit of the combatants in this highly competitive battle. After finding themselves somewhat on their heels in the final half of the second period and opening 5:00 of the third, the Aeros showed great resilience as they turned their play up a couple notches the rest of the way and struck for four goals in the final 13:00. Getting the Aeros rolling only 2:00 after the Durham tying goal was Nicole Alexopoulos (7) who recorded her hat-trick goal after a hard slap shot from Amber Welch (11) rebounded off the Lighting netminder out front where Alexopoulos swept the loose puck into the gaping cage for the go-ahead goal. With both teams continuing to roll out their powerplay units it was just a matter of time before someone scored with the man advantage. The Aeros’ Jasper Thomson (57) would be that someone as she finished off a quick tic-tac-toe passing play from Heather Grant (6) and Amanda Kirwan (18) at the side of the net for a 4-2 Aeros’ lead. Toronto netminder Nicole Paniccia (37) had to come up large while Durham was enjoying a 4-on-3, as a Lightning skater found herself all alone on the doorstep with lots of time and space but was foiled on the deke attempt by the cat-like reflexes of the Aeros’ goaltender. This save of gigantic proportions prevented Durham from making it a 4-3 game and gave the Aeros’ skaters a jolt. When back at even strength the Aeros proceeded to attack the Durham end and, after a hard point shot by Sasha Nanji (4) was stopped, Heather Hughes (19) pounced on the rebound and roofed a backhander from in tight past the Lighting goaltender at the 3:12 mark. Adding a helper on the Aeros 5-2 goal was Amber Welch (11). Down by three goals and with two minutes remaining, Durham did not give up as they replied with a powerplay goal of their own off a hard point shot that was deflected top shelf past the Aeros’ netminder to close the gap to 5-3. The Aeros, though, would not give an inch and only 0:21 later, Sasha Nanji (4) scored a pretty goal top shelf after Heather Hughes (19) had won an offensive zone faceoff to regain the three goal edge. The final minute-and-a-half of this highly competitive battle would be played out with no more damage at either end. The final score of 6-3 for Toronto was not indicative of the play as both teams were even or close to it in all other aspects of the game, setting up for what in all likelihood will be an outstanding rematch on January 7, 2008 when Durham play host to the Aeros.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Saturday, December 1, 2007, PWHL League Game
Toronto Junior Aeros 3 - Hamilton Junior Hawks 2 Aeros hang on for win over Hawks
For the fourth time this season the (8-2-1) Aeros would face off against the (3-9-1) Hawks with the Aeros winning all the previous meetings by scores of 4-1, 4-0 and 5-3. Play was sporadic throughout the opening frame, with neither team being able to produce a consistent effort. Both teams counted for five shots on net each with the final shot of the period being the only one to make it to the back of the cage. The Aeros’ Nicole Alexopoulos (7) controlling the puck on a fine rush up the middle, dished the puck in front to Whitney Kennedy (21) who finished with a quick wrist shot glove side on the Hamilton netminder. Adding an extra helper was Breanne Hadley (10). The Aeros took over in the middle frame, using their speed to control most of the play. The Hawks’ netminder was sharp, stopping 8 shots in the second period before the Aeros’ shooters were able to put one past her. Aeros’ first tally of the period came off the stick of Kate Wheeler (17) who finished off a nice tic-tac-toe passing play from the slot. Helping out on the setup were Kelly Babstock (2) and Amber Welch (11) for an Aeros’ 2-0 lead at the 4:31 mark. With just over a minute left, a costly Hawks’ turnover ended up in the back of their net, once again off the stick of Kate Wheeler (17) for her second goal of the game. The unassisted effort would turn out to be the eventual game winner and gave the Aeros a 3-0 lead heading into the third period after outshooting their opponents 15-2 in the second. In the third period Hamilton came out on a mission, setting Toronto back on their heels with two quick goals before the period was four minutes old. The first Hawks’ goal came off a bad defensive zone give-away, giving the Hawks a short 3 on 1. Hawks made no mistake on burying the puck in the net at the 17:05 mark. Fifty-four seconds later, on another odd man rush against the Aeros, a 2 on 1 ended up in the back of the net bringing Hamilton to within one goal with 16:11 remaining in the game. After allowing 2 goals on 3 shots in the opening 4:00 the Aeros tightened up defensively the rest of the way, allowing only four more shots on goal in the final 16:00. Offensively the Aeros managed nine shots on goal in the final frame but could not beat the steady Hamilton netminder. The final shot total in this close battle won by Toronto 3-2 was Aeros 29, Hawks 14.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Wednesday, November 28, 2007, PWHL League Game
Aurora Junior Panthers 3 - Toronto Junior Aeros 1 Aeros’ shooters stymied by Panthers’ netminder
The (8-1-1) Aeros travelled to Aurora for a Wednesday night tilt versus the (5-7-1) Panthers. This would mark the first meeting of the season between these two clubs. The opening period was dominated by the Aeros with Toronto holding an edge in shots at the buzzer by a 14-1 count. Even though they controlled the play during the opening 15:00, the Aeros were showing signs of disorganized defensive play, with bad give aways in their zone on which Aurora was unable to capitalize, and on the rush with a half-a-dozen unforced offsides ending many dangerous scoring chances. The Aeros’ Jasper Thomson (57) was the only shooter able to put one by the sharp Panthers’ netminder with just over 5:00 remaining in the opening frame. Nicole Pigeon (16) and Heather Grant (6) combined to set up Thomson, who let go a quick wrister that was just out of reach of the Aurora goaltender’s outstretched glove hand and found the back of the net for the opening goal of the game. An erratic first period ended with the Aeros up by a score of 1-0. The Aeros lackadaisical play continued in the second period; not much was generated in the way of scoring chances - Aeros managed to get the disc on net only four times the whole period. Late in the frame Aurora was able to capitalize on a 5 on 3 powerplay with a shot from the slot at the 5:40 mark to tie the game at one. After the flood, the Aeros came out with more vigor in the final frame but could not put the puck behind the Panthers’ netminder who managed to hold the fort, stopping all 10 shots that Toronto fired at her. Once again, Aurora was able to capitalize with their special-teams, this time while killing a penalty. Following an
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