Nine members of the Delta Ringette Association (DRA) contributed to a first-place finish by the BC Thunder at the National Ringette Championships in Fredericton, New Brunswick last weekend.
Competing in the under-16 AA group, the Thunder are the first team from British Columbia to win a gold medal at the nationals.
The seven players aged 14 or 15 from DRA include forwards Taylor McIntosh and Arisa Cadeau, defenders Monica Salt and Jenna Suzuki, and goaltender Cassie Dercaloustian, all from North Delta. Dana Dunstan of Surrey and South Delta’s Ingrid Bakke, both forwards, and coaches Lisa Cadeau and Harold Bakke complete the group.
The Thunder posted a 5-2 (won-loss) record in the round robin, the only losses a 4-3 overtime decision against against the Calgary Strive and a 4-2 setback against the Guelph Predators. They were one of four teams from their group to advance to the playoff round.
The playoff run began with a 2-0 win over the Calgary Crew, then eliminated the Predators with another 2-0 triumph.
In the championship game, they jumped to a 6-1 lead after one period and topped the Calgary Strive 8-4 with Bakke and Dunstan scoring twice each and Taylor McIntosh netting one and earning the Defensive Player of the Game award. Cadeau was named a tournament all-star.
