Wolves eliminated from WECSSAA girls hockey playoffs

North Star’s Aria Pare (8, grey jersey) battles for the puck with a Cardinal Carter defenseman.

The season is over for the North Star Wolves girls hockey team, but their loss wasn’t because of a lack of effort.

The Wolves hosted the Cardinal Carter Cougars last Thursday afternoon at the Libro Centre in Amherstburg but lost 3-0 in the WECSSAA “A/AA” quarterfinal game. Despite numerous scoring chances, they were unable to find the back of the Cardinal Carter net.

“I thought we worked hard,” said team captain Tyler Lamarche. “We outworked them for the entire game. We made a few mistakes that led to goals.”

Lamarche added the Wolves were very positive and fun to play with this season.

“I thought we had an awesome season,” said Lamarche.

Daphne Macinnes gets a first period scoring chance against the Cougars. North Star lost the WECSSAA  “A/AA” quarterfinal playoff game 3-0 Feb. 19 at the Libro Centre in Amherstburg.

Teammate Ashley Mongeau agreed they worked hard during the Feb. 19 game as well as all year long.

“I thought we worked hard until the very end,” stated Mongeau. “We didn’t give up, even though it didn’t show on the scoreboard.”

Mongeau added she also thought they had a great season because of “all the memories” they made throughout.

Wolves coach Dan Pettypiece said the players did exactly what the coaching staff wanted them to do against Cardinal Carter.

“Their goalie played very well,” said Pettypiece. “We didn’t get in front of the net.”

Even though they lost, Pettypiece said the coaches were happy with how they played.

“The effort has always been there,” he said. 

Pettypiece said if the focus is always on trophies and banners, they will be disappointed more often than not. He noted much of the focus should be on how they play together.

“Enjoy the process,” said Pettypiece. “Enjoy the journey. Take with it the life lessons that you learn.”

Pettypiece said he plans on returning to coaching the girls hockey team again next season. Most players are scheduled to return, he added.

“We’ll have a really strong team,” he said.

The Wolves had one player injured and another ill for the playoff game, with Pettypiece adding star player June Buchner missed the season due to an injury.

“They really made it exciting,” he concluded.

Wolves eliminated from WECSSAA girls hockey playoffs

By Ron Giofu