North Star girls hockey team eliminated from WECSSAA playoffs

By Ron Giofu

The season is over for the North Star Wolves girls hockey team.

The WECSSAA “A/AA” quarterfinal was held last Thursday afternoon at the Essex Centre Sports Complex with the Essex Red Raiders defeating the Wolves by a final score of 5-1. The Red Raiders built a 1-0 lead after one period and blew the game open in the second period with three goals to make it a 4-0 game.

Abby Souchereau’s point shot on the powerplay put North Star on the board early in the third period. Hanna Coulson got the assist on the goal. Essex added another goal to round out the scoring. The Red Raiders got three goals from Brynn Bellemore and one each from Mackenzie Parent and Amber McFadden.

Wolves head coach Dan Pettypiece believed if they would have got a goal in the first period, it could have been a different game. A goal would have given his team a lift while possibly caused Essex to know they were in a closer hockey game.

“It would have put energy in our bench and those (Essex) girls would have gripped their sticks a little tighter,” he said.

Pettypiece added the coaching staff, which also consisted of Bill Atkinson, Drew Coulson and teacher representatives Stephanie Mongeau and Courtney Bastien, were proud of their team.

“They were giving up points earlier in the year because they are a young team,” said Pettypiece. “That’s to be expected.”

The Wolves lose two players to graduation – Maddy Szewczuk and Mikalah Wilcox – and Pettypiece praised their leadership during the course of the season.

“Maddy and Mikalah gave every bit of energy they had both on the ice and off the ice,” said Pettypiece.

This year’s Wolves team was a tight-knit group, he added, and got along well.

“I’ve never been part of a team that was so together and so cohesive,” said Pettypiece. “No matter what happened, they respected each other completely.”

There could be an influx of new players next year, he added, forcing him to make some tough choices. Most players that try out usually make the team but there could be some cuts next year if all the incoming players choose to stick with hockey.

The girls didn’t quit this year and Pettypiece said that is not part of his vocabulary anyway. He hopes those lessons will carry on for the players through life. If something goes wrong, “they’ve got to suck it up and move forward. You can’t look back.”

Wilcox and Szewczuk reflected back on their high school hockey careers.

“It’s a little sad,” said Wilcox after the game. “It was our last game.”

Szewczuk agreed but said she was happy with how things went this season.

“I couldn’t be happier with how we did,” she said. “In (Thursday’s) game, the score didn’t show how well we did.”

Wilcox added “I never played on a team that was this close” and “just because we lost, it doesn’t define who we are.” She said she is undecided about her playing future but may find a way to continue playing recreationally. Szewczuk also hopes to play somewhere in the future.

Szewczuk and Wilcox also thanked their coaches and Wilcox stated, “I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Holly Boyle (nee Horrobin)

Passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on February 18, 2023, at 80 years of age. She has gone home to be with her Lord in Heaven. Daughter of the late George and Helen Horrobin. Stepdaughter of Dorothy Horrobin. Dear wife of Jim Boyle of 57 years. Loving mother of Derek James Boyle, Chad Glenn Boyle (Kelly), Holly Michelle Roy (Matthew), and Heather Lynne Poublon (Dean). Treasured grandma of Emily, late Shamus (1996), Dex, Salina, Cody, Naomi, Nina, and Morgan. Great grandmother of Elliotte, Nora and Cameron. Sister of Michael Horrobin (Margaret), Barry Horrobin (Cheryl), Brian Horrobin (Ruth) and the late Ginny Horrobin. Sister-in-law of Janet Ferguson (Wayne) and Ruth-Anne Baker (Ronald). Also, survived by many nieces and nephews.

Holly was a teacher for over 6 years; member of the Essex United Church; Take-A-Break; Women’s Group at Essex United. She was also a dedicated volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society for over 25 years. Holly will be sadly missed by all her dear friends.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2023, from 2-4 and 6-7:30 p.m. at the Kennedy Funeral Home Ltd. (519-776-7378) 128 Talbot St. North, Essex. A life celebration service will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Donations may be made to the Essex Area Foodbank. You may send your condolences online at www.kennedyfh.com

In Memory of Darrel Kim Hurst

March 18, 1961February 25, 2006

When ties of love are broken, And loved ones have to part, It leaves a wound that never heals Also a broken heart. But looking back with memories, O’er the path we used to trod, We bless the years we shared with you, And leave the rest to God.

Lovingly Remembered by Mom, Dad and Family

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