Twister squad headed to Silver Stick

For the first time in the organization's 10-year existence, the North Halton Twisters will have a representative in the International Silver Stick Finals after the Midget BBs took top spot at a regional qualifying tournament in Pembroke recently, allowing just three goals against in four games. The Twisters showed a flair for the dramatics in winning the Silver Stick qualifier, earning three one goal victories and a tie en route to the championship. Siera Pellizzari blasted home the winning goal in the final against North Bay on a slap shot with just over two minutes remaining in the third period. "That was the best competition we've faced all year. Every game was tightly contested with good defensive play and at that level, it always seems like it's a one-goal game," said Twisters' head coach Paul Morrow, whose team is in first place in the South West Girls' Hockey League with a 12-1 regular-season record. "Our goalies (Trish Dalli and Amanda Olar) really hadn't been tested often before this but both of them won games for us in Pembroke. It was just really good hockey to watch." The North Halton squad now moves on to the International Midget BB Finals Feb. 2-4 in Sarnia. With a core group of players that has been together for four years and won a provincial title at the Bantam C level, the Twisters have also posted tourney victories this season in Clarington and at their own event here in November. The win in Pembroke was the team's 10th tournament championship in 15 tries over the past four seasons, losing in the final on three other occasions.

Posting an overall record of 24-32, coach Morrow's Twisters had a couple of weeks off during the holidays in preparation for what figures to be a busy second half of the 200607 campaign. "We're projecting that we could play about 80 games by the time we get to April and hopefully the provincial championships," Morrow added. "If they keep winning, the games just keep rolling on into April. But the girls just love it and it's a great group to coach." The Twisters' organization will host its fifth-annual National Women's Hockey League regularseason fund-raising game at Georgetown's Mold-Masters SportsPlex on Friday, Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m., when the Brampton Thunder takes on the Oakville Ice. Cost is $5 per ticket. Preliminary round-- North Halton 1, North Bay 0: Siera Pellizzari (G); Katie Morrow, Lana Munn (A); Trish Dalli (SO). North Halton 2, Ottawa Valley 1: Kirstie Cunningham, Robyn McColl (G); Kylie MacGillivray, Samantha Loeprich (A). North Halton 1, Russell 1: Lauren McCracken (G); Pellizzari, Morrow (A). Championship-- North Halton 2, North Bay 1: McCracken, Pellizzari (G, A); Morrow (2A, MVP).

Winning their third tournament in three attempts this season, the North Halton Midget BB Twisters booked their trip to the International Silver Stick Finals at Sarnia Feb. 2-4 by going undefeated at the regional qualifier last month in Pembroke. Members of the team (forefront, from left) are: Amanda Olar, Trish Dalli. Second row: Kelly Collarossi, Kirstie Cunningham, Michelle Serafini, Siera Pellizzari, Katie Morrow, Robyn McColl. Third row; manager Mary Cunningham, assistant coach Ralph Serafini, Lauren McCracken, assistant coach Gary McFadyen, Lana Munn, Brooke Hartwick, Kylie MacGillivray, Samantha Loeprich, head coach Paul Morrow, Niki Sommerville, Kylie MaFadyen, Abby Lyons, trainer Linda Hartwick.