Brampton Thunder Succesfully Repeat as League Champions

By Brian R. Johnston
Sunday, March 23rd, 2008

Brampton, ON –

With thousands of fans in attendance at the Powerade Centre, both the Brampton Canadette- Thunder and the Mississauga Chiefs put on another display of elitism that was second to none in the CWHL’s inaugural Championship.

They witnessed the crowning of the Brampton Canadette-Thunder, as the first Champions of the CWHL, as they defeated the Mississauga Chiefs by a score of 4 – 3  in overtime to triumph in a hard fought battle of the games most elite women players.

With their victory, they were able to clinch their second consecutive League Championship and reach their main objective for 2007 – 2008 season.

All the big guns stepped up as they are supposed to do in Championship games, to lead their respective teams in a classic battle for supremacy of the CWHL.

The Mississauga Chiefs, who last weekend defeated the Brampton Thunder in the “2008 ESSO Nationals” in Charlottetown, P.E.I., 3 – 2, in double overtime had the tables turned in this, the inaugural Championship Game for the CWHL Championship Cup, but were gallant, determined and most respectful in defeat.

Lori Dupuis. (the Championship Game MVP), Jayna Hefford , Vicky Sunohara and Molly Engstrom who had the game winner in her last game as a member of the Brampton Thunder, as she is off to train for the 2010 Olympics with Team USA, were the marksmen for the winners.

Assisting on the Thunder goals were; Allyson Fox, Vicky Sunohara and Lori Dupuis (with 2 assists and 3 points in the game).

Cindy Eadie was stellar in net for the Thunder when called upon and the defensive corp exceptional, as they held the Mississauga Chief to just 23 shots overall. 

Jennifer Botterill with 2 goals and Sommer West with 1 goal led the offensive attack in a losing effort and Cherie Piper (1) and Sommer West (2) chipped in with assists.

Both Sarah Love and Stephanie Lochart made numerous saves on behalf of Mississauga and it was unfortunate that Love was forced to leave the game with an injury late in the third period.

Her Honour’s, Mayor Susan Fennell of Brampton and Mayor Hazel McCallion of Mississauga who were in attendance to support their local teams, spoke highly of both the Brampton Canadettes and Mississauga Chiefs Hockey Associations and their support of the finest female hockey players in the world.

They both spoke of the sound foundations that have been built, to aspire young women to escalate their games to the level that will someday see them participating in the CWHL.

Head Coach Donna Lynn Rosa said, “Everyone that participated in this Championship should be proud of their accomplishments and I can’t find the words at this time, to appropriately compliment the players, coaching staff and everyone else associated with the Brampton Canadette-Thunder”

“We were able to achieve our goals and objectives of defending our previous years Championship season and we will embrace the opportunity of a three-peat next season,” she continued. 

The Brampton Thunder have for ever more accomplished, what no other team can, with their victory and are most deserving being the first Champions of the CWHL Cup.

© Copyright Brian R. Johnston