Breakers storm back to tie Renegades 3–3 after Coach Gosse’s intermission rally
Robert French Memorial, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025 — Down 3–1 after two periods, the AAA U18 Eastern Ice Breakers found their spark and clawed back for a 3–3 draw with the U15A CBR Renegades in a spirited, fast-paced matchup that felt every bit like a rivalry tilt.
CBR jumped on top early behind a first-period brace from No. 13, striking at 13:33 and again at 7:19 at even strength for a 2–0 lead through 20 minutes. The Breakers answered in the second when defender No. 7, Anna Thoms, hammered home a power-play marker at 8:23 to cut the deficit in half, but the Renegades restored the two-goal cushion at 1:00 when No. 1 made it 3–1 heading into the break.
Between periods, Head Coach Gosse challenged his Breakers to push the pace and win the details, and the group responded with its best stretch of the night. Center/wing No. 13, Ally Walsh, pulled the visitors within one at 11:23 of the third, finishing a tidy even-strength sequence set up by No. 12, Paityn Williams, and No. 10, Anastasia Penney. With momentum tilting, Penney drew the teams level at 5:50, burying the 3–3 equalizer off a feed from Walsh.
From there, the game settled into a tense, chance-trading finish. CBR’s early execution and structure kept them dangerous throughout, but the Breakers’ third-period push — and their ability to tilt the ice at 5-on-5 — secured a hard-earned point.
Special teams and discipline played a role. The Renegades spent significant time in the box, taking five minors (10 PIM) to the Breakers’ two (4 PIM), and the Breakers capitalized with Thoms’ second-period power-play goal to start the comeback. In goal, Lindsay Rideout steadied after the rough first, stopping 23 of 26 shots (.885) and turning aside everything she saw in the third to preserve the tie.
Breakers leaders
- Anastasia Penney (1G, 1A) — game-tying goal at 5:50 of the third
- Ally Walsh (1G, 1A) — sparked the third-period surge
- Anna Thoms (1G, PPG) — timely special-teams strike
- Paityn Williams (1A) — primary helper on Walsh’s goal
- Lindsay Rideout — 23 saves on 26 shots
Renegades highlights
- No. 13 — two first-period even-strength goals to set the tone
- No. 1 — late second-period finish for a 3–1 cushion
- Composed defensive stretches to weather the late push and secure a point
Final: U15A CBR Renegades 3 (2–1–0), AAA U18 Eastern Ice Breakers 3 (0–1–2). No overtime was played in the regular-season contest.
In the end, the matchup delivered a little of everything — early punch from the Renegades, special-teams impact, and a resilient third-period surge from the Breakers — with Coach Gosse’s intermission rally the clear turning point in a well-earned draw.
Surge Hold Off Late Ice Breakers Rally for 4–2 Win
The Atlantic Surge jumped out to a commanding 4–0 lead and held on late to defeat the U18 AAA Eastern Ice Breakers 4–2 in a hard-fought matchup Wednesday.
The Surge capitalized early, controlling play through the first two periods and taking advantage of a slow start from the Breakers. Despite several quality chances from forward Williams, Surge goaltender Olivia Taylor stood tall, turning aside every attempt to keep the Ice Breakers off the board.
The Breakers came alive in the third, mounting an impressive push to close the gap. Bartlett got them on the board first with a beautiful move to get inside and bury it under the bar, followed by Penney to make it 4–2. With momentum clearly shifting, the Ice Breakers poured on the pressure, but time wasn’t on their side as the final buzzer sounded before they could complete the comeback.
Head coach Donny Gosse praised his team’s resilience down the stretch but acknowledged the need for stronger starts.
“I was really pleased with our third-period effort, but we can’t spot a team like that four goals and expect to win,” Gosse said. “This is a journey, and both the losses and the victories are part of building toward our ultimate goal.”
The Ice Breakers will look to carry their third-period intensity into their next matchup as they continue their development through the U18 AAA season.
Breakers Bounce Back with Statement Win Over Celtic Fury
After falling 4–1 to the Celtic Fury, the Eastern Ice Breakers flipped the script in emphatic fashion Wednesday night, skating to a dominant 4–1 victory at home.
From the opening puck drop, the Breakers controlled the pace of play, outshooting the Fury by a wide margin of 31–13. Rookie sensation Anna Seymour led the charge offensively, finding the back of the net twice and setting the tone for a determined Eastern squad.
Between the pipes, Katie Winsor was steady and composed, turning away key chances and keeping the Fury at bay whenever the game’s momentum threatened to shift.
After a strong showing at last weekend’s Sobey’s Cup, it’s clear the Breakers absorbed some valuable lessons—and tonight, they put them into action. The return of Head Coach Donny Gosse behind the bench also seemed to energize the group, as the players delivered what was arguably their most complete effort of the season.
With confidence growing and teamwork clicking, the Eastern Ice Breakers are showing they’re ready to compete with anyone who lines up across from them.
Eastern Ice Breakers Gain Valuable Experience at Sobey’s Cup
The U18 AAA Eastern Ice Breakers wrapped up their weekend at the Sobey’s Cup with plenty to be proud of — and even more to look forward to. The goal heading into the tournament was clear: to learn about the regional competition and, most importantly, about themselves. By that measure, the weekend was a resounding success.
The Ice Breakers accomplished too many positive things to list. From competing with intensity and resilience in every game to showing growth in their systems and chemistry, the team took major steps forward both on and off the ice. The lessons learned will serve as the foundation for what lies ahead — a clear path toward their ultimate goal: winning the Atlantics.
This year’s Ice Breakers are being built on four core values — trust, respect, determination, and belief. Each of those qualities was on full display throughout the Sobey’s Cup weekend. The players supported one another, competed with heart, and represented their program with pride.
With the right mindset across the entire program — players, coaches, and families — and continued positive support, this group has all the makings of something truly special. The Sobey’s Cup was just the beginning.
Go Breakers.
Post-Game Recap: Eastern Ice Breakers vs. Cape Breton Lynx
Bell Arena, New Glasgow – October 24, 2025
The U18 AAA Eastern Ice Breakers dropped a tough one Friday evening in New Glasgow, falling 5–2 to the Cape Breton Lynx in a game defined by special teams. All five Lynx goals came on the power play, as penalties proved costly for the Breakers throughout the night.
Despite the scoreline, the Ice Breakers controlled much of the play at even strength — winning the 5-on-5 battle 2–0 and showing that when they stay out of the box, they can dictate the pace of the game. The team’s energy, forecheck, and puck movement at even strength were strong, but discipline became the difference.
Head coach and staff emphasized the importance of composure and confidence heading into a crucial day tomorrow. “We need to stay disciplined and believe in ourselves,” was the message following the loss. The Breakers have shown they can compete with anyone in the league when they play their game — and they’ll get the chance to prove it again with two big matchups tomorrow against Mount Academy and King’s-Edgehill.
The pieces are there. The belief is building.
Go Breakers!
Post-Game Recap: Eastern Icebreakers vs. Northern Subway Selects
October 24, 2025 – Pictou, NS
The U18 AAA Eastern Icebreakers fell 3–0 to the Northern Subway Selects on Friday morning , but the score doesn’t tell the full story. Despite being outshot 33–10, the Icebreakers showed poise, structure, and a level of compete that proved they belong in the conversation with one of the regions top teams.
The Selects opened the scoring midway through the second period with a shorthanded marker, capitalizing on a turnover. A power-play goal in the third extended the lead to 2–0, and a late goal sealed the result late in the third.
While the shot clock leaned heavily in the Selects’ favor, the Icebreakers battled hard in every zone. Goaltending stood tall under constant pressure, the defense blocked shots and cleared rebounds, and the forwards pushed back with sustained pressure late in the game.
These two programs have a long history of competitive matchups, but this meeting felt different. The Icebreakers’ bench carried a quiet confidence — a belief that they could go shift-for-shift with the perennial powerhouse.
The scoreline may have read 3–0, but the message was clear: the gap is closing. The Eastern Icebreakers now know they can compete. They know they can win.
You’ll see them again — on the biggest stage of the weekend — when they take the ice in the Sobeys Cup Final on Sunday afternoon.
The story isn’t over yet.
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Eastern Ice Breakers Head to Pictou for the Sobey’s Cup
The U18 AAA Eastern Ice Breakers are on the road this weekend, travelling to Pictou, Nova Scotia to compete in the Sobey’s Cup, one of Atlantic Canada’s premier showcases of elite female hockey talent. The tournament will feature some of the top programs from across the region, providing the Ice Breakers with a great opportunity to measure their progress and compete at a high level.
The action begins Friday morning at the Hector Arena, where the Ice Breakers will open their tournament schedule against the Subway Selects at 10:00 a.m. The team will return to the ice later in the day at 5:00 p.m. at the Bell Arena to face off against the Cape Breton Lynx in what promises to be a competitive matchup.
On Saturday, the Ice Breakers continue their round-robin play with an early game at 9:30 a.m. versus the Mount Academy Saints at the Bell Arena. Their final round-robin contest follows at 2:15 p.m. at the Sobey Arena, where they’ll take on the KES Highlanders. Each game presents another chance for the team to build chemistry, test their systems, and continue developing their identity on the ice.
The Sobey’s Cup playoff round begins Sunday, with the second- and third-place teams meeting in the semifinal at 11:00 a.m. The championship game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at the Sobey Arena, where the top team from round-robin play will face the winner of the semifinal to decide the 2025 Sobey’s Cup champion.
Head Coach and staff emphasized the importance of using this weekend as both a competitive challenge and a growth opportunity:
“This is a great event for our players. Every game helps us build confidence, our 2nd, 3rd and 4th effort, consistency, and connection as a team. The girls have been working hard, and we’re excited to see that effort translate into their play.”
For the Eastern Ice Breakers, this tournament is about more than results — it’s about representing the program and the community with pride, commitment, and teamwork. The players continue to embody the program’s values of resilience, positivity, and passion for the game.
Fans and supporters can follow the team’s progress throughout the weekend on our official social media channels and website for scores, photos, and updates.
Ice Breakers Top Team Butler 3–1 in Season-Opening Exhibition
The U18 Eastern Ice Breakers wasted no time setting the tone for their season, skating to a convincing 3–1 victory over Team Butler of the Women’s Junior A Hockey League in the opening exhibition game of the year.
From puck drop, the Breakers’ defensive structure was airtight, suffocating Team Butler’s top forwards and frustrating any attempt to generate sustained pressure. The blue line unit kept shooting lanes clogged, while the backcheck from the forwards forced turnovers and limited Butler’s time in the offensive zone.
At the other end of the ice, the Penney–Seymour line took center stage. Driving the attack with speed and precision passing, the trio combined for multiple scoring chances, including the game’s opening goal midway through the first period. Their chemistry carried over throughout the night, with all players factoring in on the scoresheet and setting the tone offensively.
Between the pipes, goaltender Katie Winsor wasn’t overly busy, but she delivered when it counted most. A key glove save late in the second period preserved the Breakers’ lead, while her poise under pressure gave the team steady confidence in the crease.
Head coach Donny Gosse appeared more animated than usual behind the bench, and that urgency translated directly onto the ice. The Breakers played with edge, determination, and an extra gear, consistently winning puck battles and executing with purpose.
Despite their best push in the third, Team Butler could not solve the Breakers’ defensive wall.
The 3–1 win marks a promising start for the Ice Breakers, who not only secured an early victory but showcased the identity they’ll look to build on this season: stingy defense, timely goaltending, and a high-octane top line leading the charge.
With plenty of hockey still ahead, the message from Game 1 is clear—this Breakers squad is ready to compete.
