BRIDGETOWN - The Bridgetown and Middleton high school hockey girls, two well matched squads in both skill and technique, played an intense game on Friday night, but the BRCS Hawk’s managed to come out victorious with a close 3-2 win on home ice.
Before the game, captain and coach’s daughter Courtney Veinott expressed her hopes for her team’s upcoming season.
“I’m really hoping that we can get to provincials,” she said. “It’s my Grade 12 year, and I think it’d be great because we have such a young and developing team. We have lots of young players so I’m really hoping we can keep the team going for a couple years.”
Both teams started strong in what was a very physical game. Many girls on both sides took some falls and hits. Captain of the Middleton Regional High School Monarch’s, Trinity Chesley (#18), dropped in the opening goal of the game. Jordan Clark (#17) scored Bridgetown’s first marker, assisted by Courtney Veinott (#13) and Hannah Longmire (#14). Middleton was quick to retaliate with Chesley sinking in a second goal for her team and giving MRHS the lead.
Going into second period, the Bridgetown Regional Community School girl’s pulled together and showed their capability. The home team’s eagerness for a goal was obvious through their passionate playing as they tried to even the score.
Penalties put Middleton’s, Kinzie Veinott (#8) and Tristen Saltzman (#15) in the box giving Bridgetown a two-player advantage. Courtney Veinott successfully put the puck in the back of the Monarch’s net, ending period two with a tie on the scoreboard and setting up for an interesting third period.
In the final third, all bets were off as both team’s gave their all to gain a lead. Assistant captain Emilee Cress (#11) and Nicole Vanasse (#5) played as a solid forward duo, staying aggressive on the opposing team. During a particularly strong attack on net by Middleton, defender Cameron Johnson (#12) swooped in to help goalie Emma Clayton, who was unyielding in her protection of BRCS’s goal throughout the game.
The winning goal was notched by Bridgetown’s Bryanna Atkinson (#9), with assists from Cameron Johnson and Raina Saunders (#8), one of the team’s younger members. Saunders, who pulled her weight on the ice with her many strong plays during this game, proved that age doesn’t determine talent.
This opening victory has set the tone for the BRCS team, and the girls are hopeful and excited for their promising season.
With this win, assistant captain Emilee Cress is motivated and encouraged for the team.
“I hope we can go it strong, and win every single game,” she said.
The Bridgetown girls have a win, a tie, and two losses so far in the regular season. Earlier in the week the girls lost 6-0 to Avon View Avalanche.
Head coach Keith Veinott debriefed the girls on what they did well, and what they could improve on in the future. Assistant coaches include Dale Young, and Jonathan Marshall, who was absent due to teaching duties.
The BRCS girl’s home opener drew in an estimated crowd of 130 people, and among that crowd, of course, was Swoops the hawk, BRCS’ personal feathery mascot, there to cheer along with the community.
