By Darryl G. Smart

It certainly was a great time for Ava Zurby turn on the jets.

The Delhi District Secondary School student scored the hat trick to lead the Delhi Raiders to a 9-5 win over the Holy Trinity Titans Monday at Talbot Gardens. And with the win, the Raiders punch its ticket to the Norfolk Secondary Schools Athletic Association girls hockey final.

Zurby and the Raiders were in control of the semifinal much of the game, mounting a 5-1 lead before allowing the Titans to get within a goal by the time the third period began. But that’s when the Raiders kicked it into gear, adding three more en route to the victory.

Aly Ernst scored two goals for the Raiders, with Jenna Durham, Olivia Smart, Veronica Abele and Leah Dawes adding one each.

Sophia Correira scored a pair to lead the Titans, while Jenine Fescas, Jenna DeBruyn and Ella Brown all netted one.

The Raiders will face the undefeated Simcoe Sabres, who continued its winning ways with an easy 9-1 win over the Waterford Wolves. The NSSAA final is slated for March 3 at Talbot Gardens at 12:30pm. And following the NSSAA girls hockey final, the boys championship game will take place between the Raiders and Titans at 2pm.

BOYS

In the boys semifinals Monday, the Raiders and Titans both took care of business.

The top-seeded and undefeated Titans again looked poised in their semifinal. They controlled things right from the beginning to cruise to a 8-1 win over the Sabres.

Leo Estrella and Joel Storoschuk led the way, scoring two goals each during a six-goal first period outburst.

Ryan Hill and Caelan Cunningham added first-period markers, while Liam Twinem scored in the second period, before Jesse Mainville rounded out the scoring in the third.

Braeden Turvey’s power-play marker in the first period was all the offence the Sabres could muster.

In the first semifinal, the Raiders scored a 3-1 victory over the Wolves.

Mason Gear, Ried Brackenbury, and Brendan Cattrysse scored for the Raiders.

REMINDER: The NSSAA hockey finals are Tuesday, the the girls final at 12:30pm, and the boys to follow at 2pm. Both games are at Talbot Gardens.