Three U9 Sarnia hockey teams swept the top of their divisions in Brantford, highlighted by an undefeated gold-medal run by Team Zettel and a standout display of sportsmanship from the team’s goalie.
Team Zettel of the Sarnia Junior Lady Sting captured gold after an undefeated run at the Walter Gretzky tournament in Brantford this past weekend. For a group of seven and eight-year-olds who only recently transitioned to competitive full-ice hockey, the victory marks a significant milestone in their development.
All three Sarnia U9 teams – Atwater, Taylor, and Zettel – represented the community in top form. Each squad finished round-robin play at the top of the division, showcasing the depth of talent within the local girls' hockey program.
Coach Shawn noted that while the on-ice success exceeded expectations, the real victory lay in the team spirit displayed off the ice. The tournament allowed young players to build friendships and embrace their specific roles within the team.
One moment stood out as a testament to the values of local sports. After Team Zettel secured the gold, goalie Cobie was awarded the MVP title. In a display of sportsmanship, she chose to give the award to a teammate.
"This for me demonstrates what we are trying to achieve with having our girls in sports," Coach Shawn shared, "which is well beyond the winning and losing."
