Nipissing’s silver-plated Ringette squad
If it wasn’t for the University of Guelph’s ringette team, the Nipissing Ringette team would have a pair of tournament wins to their name. For the second tournament in a row, Nipissing came up short against Guelph, losing in the finals and settling for a second place finish.
Nipissing finished with a record of 2-2 on the weekend, with both losses coming to Guelph, including one in the championship game.
Nipissing head coach Jeff Francom said the teams are so close, it’s a play here or there that decides each matchup.
“I felt like we were going to beat Guelph in the gold game but we fell just short. I know we have the talent to do it, we just have to get a full 60 minutes and avoid the little one to two minute lapses where Guelph scores a quick couple of goals,” Francom explained. “In that game, I should have called a timeout after Guelph tied the score so we could rally the team, but I didn’t. I take the blame for that one.”
In the opening game of the tournament, Nipissing defeated Brock 6-2 led by Aly Stewart’s hat-trick.
Kelsea Stewart, Rose Cybulski and Sydney Ives added singles to round out the scoring.
Nipissing scored first and continued to carry the play, leading 3-1 at the end of the first.
Whenever Brock had a good scoring chance, goalie Tori Blendeman slammed the door shut.
Nipissing doubled up on Laurentian in their second game of the tournament, winning 4-2 which gave them a 2-0 record heading into the final game of the round robin versus Guelph.
In the third game of the tournament, it was another exciting Guelph-Nipissing game. Nipissing took an early lead and was leading 2-1 at the end of the first period on goals by Deanna Noel and Aly Stewart.
Unfortunately, a small second period lapse allowed Guelph to score three goals in three minutes, resulting in a final score of 4-2 in favour of Guelph.
Guelph and Nipissing are developing a healthy rivalry this season, having reached the finals together in their last two meetings.
Francom said each time the two teams hit the ice, it’s an exciting, well-played game.
“It truly is a great rivalry between us and Guelph. Both teams have great respect for each other, both teams love playing against each other because we raise each other’s game and both teams can win on any given day,” he said. “Our turn will come.”
In their most recent meeting in Guelph, they had a final filled with excitement. Great saves, great goals and a game that went right to the end have become a feature of Guelph-Nipissing games.
Sadly for Nipissing, Guelph came out on top by a score of 7-5. Nipissing jumped into an early lead with 2 goals by Aly Stewart and a single by Rose Cybulski to carry a 3-1 lead into the last period.
Unfortunately for Nipissing, Guelph showed their traditional 2nd period strength and scored three straight goals before Kelsea Stewart replied for Nipissing to tie the game at 4-4. Guelph continued to pressure Nipissing, scoring 2 more goals before Mel Harkes brought Nipissing within a goal with 6 minutes to play.
Although they pressed hard, Nipissing could not get another goal and Guelph sealed the win with their 7th goal with two minutes to play.
Nipissing will have one more chance to defeat Guelph this season when they meet the last weekend of February in Niagara Falls.
“We’ll meet them one more time in Niagara Falls at the end of the month, so we can end the season with that victory over Guelph that we have been working for all season long,” Francom noted.