Last year, it was heartbreak. A 1-0 loss in the SWOSSAA final against Villanova in a five-overtime game.
This year, the CKSS Golden Hawks got their redemption, defeating Villanova 2-1 in the SWOSSAA final, to earn the school’s first OFSAA hockey entry in a decade.
“We were so close last year, which just made us want it so much more this year,” said CKSS captain Payton Sabourin following the win. “It doesn’t feel real, such an amazing feeling.”
CKSS and Villanova played to a scoreless first period.
With less than two minutes to go in the second period, Payton Sabourin scored, with Emma Doom and Reese Parks assisting.
Villanova would tie things up in the third period, but CKSS would fight back.
Bailey Stewart grabbed a puck and slid it home with 4:58 remaining, with Camille Blain and Sabourin assisting, to secure the win.
“This is an incredible win for our team,” said CKSS head coach Ian Kennedy. “Since the puck crossed the goal line, and we lost SWOSSAA last year, these young women haven’t thought of anything else. They wanted redemption, and they got it.”
The OFSAA ‘AAA’ girls hockey championships will be held from March 21-23 in Cambridge.
