The event, which boasted a parade of the participants and outstanding hospitality provided by the tournament organizing committee and their volunteers was indeed an experience that those in attendance would never forget from the first drop of the ball to the Saturday evening banquet, A Celebration of Excellence!
The Oshawa Stampedes 4-0 round robin record was of little surprise as they continued their impressive run off of the OBHA Pre Season and U19 Provincial Championship without a loss or tie in round robin play scoring an impressive 20 goals for and only allowing 1 against. The most physical and challenging contest would be against the defensively strong Hawks from Vancouver and their netminder, Jennifer Price and other womens Team Canada members. The Stampede as they had done in other games scored early which would force the Hawks to open up their game plan and a lead the Stampede would not relinquish winning 3-0 in the end.
The most challenging game the Stampede would play was the final against the Orange Crush. Their provincial rival and a team that could match them stride for stride in net, on defence and up front. The Stampede like they had done in previous contests scored to take an early lead that would allow them to control the tempo with their fore checking game. Having played this opponent on many occasions they knew the all important second goal was crucial and for game the tournaments leading scorer, Jenny MacLean came to the fore with a two goal and two assist effort in this championship final.
It would be that second goal that seemed to take the wind out of the sails of the Crush who themselves dominated the tournament until this game. The final versus the Crush seemed to have a reoccurring theme from the previous match ups as the club from Oshawa would dominate from early in the first period to en route to a 4-0 victory in the game.
Ironically, the Stampedes performance at the Nationals was relatively unexpected because the team was in a rebuilding pattern with many of their players away at Hockey Canadas U-22 ice hockey camp. The 2008 gold medal win was a culmination of hard work at the grass roots level for the Oshawa Ball Hockey League who featured numerous long standing members who all began their careers in the local houseleague program.
Thus, the Stampede administration was faced with the task of adding several new players to the team, many of whom would be new and in their late teens and early twenties. The coaching staff of Doug and Brad Smart did a great job in having the team peak at the right time, while manager Doug Smart Sr. was instrumental in keeping the players focused on the prize.
Other notable news from the event included the induction of two local players into the CBHA Players Hall Of Fame, Valerie Dion of the BC Vikings and Kyle Marks of the BC Astros were enshrined on Saturday evening during the awards ceremony. Also honored for her career achievements of and leader in the sport of womens ball hockey was Diana Brown who was the recipient of the Sarah Butterworth Memorial Award which is presented to a female participant who exemplifies a player at the Nationals who displays her qualities of sportsmanship, leadership, dedication and most importantly a love for the sport of ball hockey.
The award winners included on the tournament allstar team (G) Kathyrn Padmore, Toronto Orange Crush (D) Katie Watts, Oshawa Stampede and Jessica Staciw, Toronto Orange Crush (F) Melissa Barcelos, Edmonton Hectic, Jenny MacLean, Oshawa Stampede and Jackie Webster, Oshawa Stampede. The individual player honors went to, Top Scorer, Jenny Maclean, Oshawa Stampede who was also honored for MVP Forward, MVP Goaltender, Melanie Rees, Edmonton Hectic, MVP Defenace, Linda Milani, Vancouver Hawks and Tournament MVP, Michelle Binning, Oshawa Stampede.
