WATERLOO REGION (February 19, 2016) – The final game of the District 8 girls hockey series went Thursday at RIM Park in Waterloo between Resurrection and St. David’s.

Last Thursday the first game of the series went to Resurrection in a 3-2 final on goals from Megan Fergusson, Rachel Buttinger and Lexie Schneider. St. David’s scorers were Lucy Condon and Melanie Aguiar.

Game two on Thursday looked to be a lock for St. David’s on an early first period goal from Chloe Davidson. Emily Buttinger of Resurrection would not let the game slip away that easily, as she scored an equalizer late in the third period to notch the game at 1-1. After overtime solved nothing, Aguiar of St. David’s scored on the team’s last attempt to win the game and even the series.

In the series finale, both teams were defensive focused not allowing a goal in regulation or overtime. The shootout’s only goal came from Resurrection’s Rebecca Vitello to win the first ever District 8 girls hockey championship. Morgan Heinbuch-Filipowitsch was credited with the shutout for the Phoenix.

Resurrection will advance to the AAA CWOSSA Championships February 24th and 25th in Cambridge, while St David’s will play in the AA CWOSSA Championships in Owen Sound.

The puck dropped earlier this year for the first time in 20 years on a District 8 boys hockey season culminating in a three game series final between Resurrection and St. Benedict’s.

Game one was a scrappy affair that saw Resurrection who finished third in the league’s regular season jump out to a series lead with a 4-2 win. Thomas Onuska scored two goals for the Phoenix while Justin Schneider and Sebastian Jelacic each potted one. Kris Hopper and Jacob Lewis were the goal scorers for St. Benedict’s.

Game two was a back and forth game in which St. Benedict’s won 3-2 on two goals from Austin Goulart and one from Justin Therrien. However it was Ryan Hall for the Saints that stole the show with a spectacular glove save with under a minute to play in the third period that sealed the win.

Hall was still on his game in the deciding game three. The Saint’s jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with a goal 54 seconds into the game. Resurrection would score an equalizer in the second period on a 5 on 3 power play.

The rest of the game was dominated by St. Benedict’s as they scored three goals in the second frame and one in the last period to capture the first District 8 boys hockey title in 20 years. Ryan Frost and Jacob Lewis each scored two goals for the Saints while teammate Derek Hopper added a single.

St. Benedict’s will advance to the AAA CWOSSA Championships in Fergus while St. David’s, who finished second in the regular season standings, will participate in the AA CWOSSA Championships in Owen Sound February 24th and 25th.

Another first for District 8 occurred earlier in the week as St. Benedict’s boys and girls both won the first ever District 8 curling championships. The girls scored a 13-4 win over St. Mary’s while the boys snuck out a 5-4 win, also over St. Mary’s. The Saints girls team will advance to CWOSSA in Brantford next week while the boys must play a qualification game against Guelph’s champion on Monday at 2:30 at the Galt Curling Club.