The North Bay Dave's Heating and Cooling U18 Ice Boltz punched their ticket with a 2-1 shootout victory over the Sudbury Lady Wolves to allow the team to move onto provincials during action at Countryside arena in Sudbury on Thursday night.
The game remained scoreless until the three minute mark of the third period when the Lady Wolves opened the scoring. It stayed that way until late in the game with under two minutes left and the Ice Boltz net empty when Taylor Yeo netted the equalizer with helpers from Ava Assinewai and Natalie Tolton.
See related: U18 Ice Boltz net key playdown win over Lady Wolves
The Ice Boltz, who won the first game of the playdown series back on February 13 when they pulled out a 3-2 win, played two scoreless 10 minute overtime sessions. Assinewai and Yeo scored in the shootout which continued until the 9th round when Ella Oullette potted the shootout winner.
Ice Boltz goaltender Hannah Brunton was solid during regulation, overtime and in the shootout.
"Brunton made phenomenal saves all game in net and got stronger as shootout reached the 9th shooter," said Jeff Roynon, U18 Ice Boltz head coach who received a gatorade shower from his team after the victory.
"I am proud of them this is one of the goals that we set."
U18 AA Provincials take place April 13 to 16 in Toronto.
