The U13 Delta Stars C1 girls hockey team claimed a Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association playoff banner in dramatic fashion on March 5 in North Vancouver.
The young team, coached by Travis O’Donnell, Gord Wright and Rich Kellington, tied the game late in the third period and prevailed in a shoot-out to earn its first-ever banner.
Consisting of female players aged 10, 11 and 12 from all over South Delta, the Stars made it to the final by edging out five other teams from around the Metro Vancouver region.
After placing third in regular season play and second in the round-robin portion of the playoffs, the team counted on the scoring touch of Shayla Hurley with the only goal of the shootout and was backstopped by Kayla O’Donnell who didn’t allow a single North Vancouver shooter to get one past her.
“We struggled all season against (North Vancouver) but I knew all along this team could win when it counted,” said O'Donnell. “Our team includes first-time players (Kaitlyn Yim), highly improved newcomers (Violet Stevens and Melody Wright) along with a solid core I’ve been coaching for a few years.”
Autumn Wilkins joined the team part-way through the season to round out a solid defence that also featured Annabel Lancaster, Makena Cowan, Maya Lee, Wright, and Sydney Kamiya.
Amaya Hernandez led the team all season with solid play at centre, along with Stevens and Hurley. The Stars counted on an all-around team effort, particularly from Chloe Houghton, Gabriella O’Donnell, Grace Kellington, Yim, and Malea Ashe in order to have success.
Delilah Woodliffe split duties with O’Donnell in goal. Woodliffe’s performance in the first half of the final game set the tone for what turned out to be a most memorable night for this group of young athletes.
Many thanks go out to supportive parents all year long, particularly team manager Anne Ashe, safety person (and team DJ) Brian Hurley, and Rebecca Lee who supported both those roles.
The girls wrap up the season playing against their U13 male cohorts in the annual South Delta Minor Hockey “Party in ‘da House” at Ladner Leisure Centre.
