Norstar Ladies Win 2012 NAEBHC

Norstar London wins North American Eastern Ball Hockey Championship 2012

"In my pre-game talk I asked the players - we can line match against their weaknesses or play big dog vs big dog. The Team emphatically answered play big dog vs big dog. Our top line of Ashley McManus, Andrea Walters, KatieTurner and defensemen Haley Walsh and Keelan McGoey went out and dominated their top line. The rest of the Team followed their example and it was an amazing game." - David Dudzic, General Manager Norstar London.
 

A thrilling 4 - 3 overtime victory gave London its first ever North American Eastern Ball Hockey Championship (NAEBHC).
 

Norstar London was led by Andrea Walters and Katie Turner with 3 points each with Walters scoring the winner assisted by Turner 8:17 into overtime.
Defensively - Norstar London goalie Kim Gatto shutout all opposition the
last 43:17 straight she played including the entire second period and
overtime of the Championship game. The win gives London a progressive
victory off their 2011 Provincial Championship.
 

It took 3 games to get the right line combinations and understand the style of hockey needed to play effectively - but Norstar London emerged from a huge Quarter Final game with a 3 - 1 victory over Oshawa. Led by Andrea Walters and Katie Turner (1 goal, 1 assist each) and Tournament MVP Goalie Holly Scott. "The Team played very well. We needed to play with a sense of urgency and we did." - David Dudzic, General Manager Norstar London.
 

The Semi Final game vs Acton was extremely intense as London's offense set the tone of the game early and continued to pressure Acton's defense in all situations. The play went back and forth as both Clubs exchanged opportunities. Again - great goaltending by London's Holly Scott and all-around excellent defense allowed London to keep its lead which it never relinquished. "Our Team is built on speed, the fast break out and the larger playing surface. We can generate a lot of offense. If our defense can make the right play out of our zone we can be as good as any team." - David Dudzic, General Manager Norstar London.
 

In The Finals Norstar London came out firing on all cylinders jumping out to a quick 2 goal lead. But by the end of the first period the game was tied 3 - 3 as both Captains Tracy Kitchen of Oshawa and Andrea Walters of London were leading their respective teams in dramatic style. After an exciting back and forth tempered second period the game remained tied at 3s. Overtime looked like it would end quickly as both teams exchanged chances but both goalies were determined to let their respective offenses win the game. Then at 9:43 of overtime on a 2 on 2 led by Norstar London's Katie Turner entering the Oshawa zone took a shot resulting in a loose rebound picked upby Andrea Walters of Norstar London and after an intense scrimmage with 2 Oshawa defenders Walters found the back of the net giving London the victory. "Tonight's win and this weekend was a total Team success. Every player focused on personal responsibilities on every shift. Even in the games we lost - we held our focus. Every player played the system and executed the game plan. They are very excited." - David Dudzic, General
Manager Norstar London.
 

The Championship Roster:
 

Alex Verwegen, Norstar
Allison Stewart, Lynx
Amanda Bradley, Norstar
Amanda Spriel, Norstar
Amber Easter, The Dolls
Andrea Walters, Norstar
Annalise Roby, Norstar
Ashley McManus, Birds N Beavs
Bronwyn Kelly, Birds N Beavs
Diana Ljubicic, Norstar
Haley Walsh, Norstar
Heather Kalogeros, Goal Rushers
Holly Scott, Norstar
Katie Turner, Norstar
Keelan McGoey, Slashers
Kim Gatto, Lynx
Maddison Turner, Lynx
Natalie Roby, Norstar
Samantha Redman, Norstar
Sarah Trask, Lynx
Stephanie Moore, The Dolls
Tara Mason, Goal Rushers
Tiffany Barnes, Norstar
Tanya Companion, Birds N Beavs
 

Tanya Companion, Birds N Beavs - Associate Manager
David Dudzic, Norstar - General Manager and Lead Coach
 

The Team would like to thank the following sponsors Covent Garden Market, ESP Meadowbrook, GHC Security, Mike Stewart Hospitalities, TD Canada Trust, Tyler Sipos Industries, various private donors and all those who supported us - by joining the baseball pool, buying raffle tickets, watching the Team play through live streaming and the countless emails and texts cheering uson. Your support and enthusiasm gave the us that extra edge to be successful.

 

David Dudzic
519.494.9949