Burr Plays Hero As Stoney Creek Sabres Win Esso Cup

Madison Burr scored two third period goals to lift the Stoney Creek Sabres to a come from behind gold medal win at the 2023 Esso Cup.

As she had the entire tournament, Stoney Creek Sabres forward Madison Burr led the way for her team. Entering the third period down by two goals, Burr had two goals and an assist in the third period to lift the Sabres to a 5-4 win over the Fraser Valley Rush, and a national U-18 championship.

In the first period, Fraser Valley's regular season scoring leader Leah Barnard opened the scoring on the powerplay with Solana Cooper and Aynsley D'Ottavio picking up helpers.

Entering the second period, Stoney Creek would get a goal from Maren Capennelli to tie the game, but the veteran Fraser Valley Rush who fell to the Durham West Lightning in last year's gold medal game, would bounce back. University of Connecticut commit Jade Lore broke the deadlock, followed by D'Ottavio scoring to give the Rush a 3-1 lead heading into the final frame.

In the third period, Stoney Creek's leaders, including Burr, Caleigh Tiller, and Peyton Anzivino took over.

Ashlyn Carter pulled the Sabres within one with Tiller assisting. Approaching the midway point of the third period, Burr scored her first to tie the game 3-3.

On the powerplay, captain Peyton Anzivino momentarily gave Stoney Creek the lead with Burr and Tiller assisting, but the Rush weren't willing to roll over. Hannah Dods answered from Barnard less than a minute later.

Then, with time running down, Madison Burr played hero scoring with 1:20 remaining in the game. It was a solo effort with Burr going one on three to score. Stoney Creek would hold on for the final minute taking the 5-4 win.

Burr, who was named tournament MVP following the semifinals lived up to the billing. Not only did she score the Esso Cup winning goal, she also led the tournament in scoring with eight goals and 15 points in seven games, with the Stoney Creek Sabres going a perfect 7-0.

Stoney Creek was the youngest team at the tournament, and although the bulk of their team is eligible to return next season, many will undoubtedly advance to play OWHL U22 Elite, considered the top NCAA and USports feeder league in Canada.

With the loss, the Fraser Valley Rush earned silver for the second consecutive season, while the Regina Rebels won bronze earlier in the day defeating the Northern Selects.