Girls 14 u t2

MVP Elizabeth Knight scores twice in 6-2 win over Belle Tire

After losing two leads in the Girl’s 14 and Under state final, things looked bleak for Victory Honda.

Then its knight in shining armor arrived on the scene.

Defenseman Elizabeth Knight connected on two slap shots in the second period to lead Victory Honda over Belle Tire, 6-2, to capture the MAHA Girl’s 14 and Under state championship on March 11 at Lakeview Arena in Marquette.

“Elizabeth has been a great player for us all year,” Victory Honda coach Greg West said. “She saved her best game for last.”

Knight, who was named tournament MVP, notched her first goal at the 6:39 mark of the second period to put her team ahead for good. Her shot from the top of the face-off circle sailed over the glove shoulder of Belle Tire goaltender Corrine Walny.

Then seven minutes later, Knight scored in almost the exact same fashion on the power play, this time sending the puck over the keeper’s stick side shoulder.

“She went down and I was able to go up top,” Knight said.

Caylee Gordon initially gave Belle Tire a 1-0 lead 6:45 into the game with an assist from Kelsey Kusch, but Victory Honda tied the game up just two seconds later. Alyssa West took off with the puck straight for the Belle Tire net immediately off the face off and sent a pass to Lauren Grigg for the score.

Victory Honda took a 2-1 lead late in the first period on the power play after Shannon McFadden’s shot from the blue line squeaked into the net. The goal was assisted by Stephanie Grumski.

Belle Tire seized momentum right away to start the second period by killing off a 5-on-3 advantage for Victory Honda. Minutes later, Belle Tire tied the game up at 2-2 on a power play of its own. Belle’s Lea Lusk skated through three Victory Honda defensemen en route to beating opposing goalie Tenley Gillett.

The run was capped by three huge saves in succession by Walny to keep the game tied and momentum in Belle Tire’s favor.

“This team improved so much this season and here we are in the championship game,” said Belle Tire coach Craig Robinson. “They do not hang their heads at all.”

Felicia Fullwood scored 2:44 into the third period on the power play with assists from Hailee Witt and Alyssa West. Less than a minute later, Jordan Verleye scored again for Victory Honda. She was assisted by Alyvia Larrair.

“These girls worked hard all year,” West said. “I just told them in the third period we have a fast team and that’s when we take it to them.”

Girls 14 and Under Notebook

Victory Honda, champions of the American Division, defeated the Michigan Ice Breakers, 4-0, in the semifinals to advance while Belle Tire knocked off National Division champion, St. Clair Shores, 4-0… Victory Honda beat Belle Tire in pool play, 3-0, behind two goals by Alyssa West. Victory Honda started off its run with an 11-1 win over Escanaba. Erin Gregoire had the lone goal for Escanaba while West and Felicia Fullwood each had two goals for Victory Honda. Livonia was the next team to fall to the champions, 8-0. Caitlyn Post had a hat trick in the shutout… Livonia was also shut out by Belle Tire, 9-0. Kelsey Kusch led Belle Tire with three scores… Escanaba gave Belle Tire a scare but were defeated, 6-5. Kusch and Emma Hull each had two goals for Belle Tire while Escanaba was led by Gregoire’s two goals… Escanaba did edge Livonia, 3-2. Brianna Belanger, Josie Goddard and Brock Nelson each had goals for Escanaba. Amanda Heisler and Rachel Wright scored for Livonia… Megan Kennedy notched two goals for the St. Clair Shores Saints in a 7-2 win over the Ice Breakers…The Saints’ Katie Macker notched four goals in a 8-0 win over Rochester while Macker, Corey Temple, Julia Bleznak and Danielle Senko all scored in the Saint’s, 4-1, win over Southfield. Lauren Hensick had the lone goal for the Lady Warriors… The Ice Breakers topped Rochester, 3-0, with two goals by Jessie Spaun. Tara Murphy had two goals for the Ice Breakers as well in a 4-1 win over Southfield. Francesca Buscemi had the lone goal for Southfield… The Lady Warriors shut out Rochester, 2-0, behind goals by Buscemi and Jordan Koonce.

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