January 23, 2013
1st period: The Vets Game lived up to its name as the women put on an impressive show in front of a good crowd. From the opening face-off, the game had a high tempo, with the players showing off their skating and passing skills.
Team Gray got on the board first at the 12:39 mark when Oak Park Raiders’ Jessica Thomas scored her first of two game goals. Picking up helpers were Beliveau Barracudas’ Rebecca Schimnowski and River East Kodiaks’ Keyona Tomiuk.
Team Blue tied it up at 7:48 on a goal mouth scramble where Miles Mac Buckeyes’ Sarah Guenther managed to bang home a loose puck in the crease. Getting assists on the goal were Louis Riel Voyageurs Renee Koga and CJS Olympiens’ Megan Kelly.
Starting in Goal for Team Gray was Kelvin Clippers’ Nicole Gulay; and for Team Blue Selkirk Royals’ Shaelyn Pepper. Gulay faced 5 shots allowing one goal while Pepper turned away 3 of the 4 shots faced.
Team Gray was in control throughout the opening period with lots of puck movement and great defensive play in their own end.
2nd Period: The second period saw another fast paced start. Both teams were getting quality chances at the net, with good end to end action throughout.
Halfway through the period Team Blue out shot Team Gray 10-7. Team Gray found themselves short-handed with a penalty to West Kildonan Wolverines’ Shawntel Quinsey, who went off with a body checking penalty with 2:30 left in period. Team Gray managed to kill of the penalty, and then with only 10.9 seconds left, Thomas netted her second goal for the 2-1 lead and what ended up being the eventual game winner. Tomiuk and Schimnowksi once again picked up assists on the goal.
Goaltenders for the 2nd period were St. Norbert Celtics’ Brooke Morin for Team Gray and Miles Mac Buckeyes’ Danielle Quaye. Morin turned away all 10 shots and Quaye 6/7 shots.
3rd Period: Team Gray continued to press offensively and were able to get the insurance goal at the 10:56 mark when PCI Saints defender Stevie Anderson stepped up in the neutral zone to pick of a break out pass, walked into Team Blue’s zone and roofed a back handed shot past the Blue Team’s goaltender giving Team Gray a 3-1 lead.
The great pace to the game continued in the final period with Team Gray maintaining pressure event when they found themselves shorthanded once again.
Third period goaltenders both put in solid minutes between the pipes. Team Gray Dakota Lancers Sydney Urwin shut the door stopping 5 shots; Team Blue St. Mary’s Flames’ Erin Soenen was beaten once on her 5 shots.
Players of the Game:
Team Blue: Louis Riel Voyageurs’ Jenna Mazur
Team Gray: Oak Park Raiders’ Jessica Thomas
Coaching Staff:
Team Blue: Steven Landreville, SJR Eagles, Lindsay Fennell, SMA Flames and Jason Fredette, Selkirk Royals
Team Gray: Jo-Anne Clark-Gillespie, PCI Saints, Heather Bell, FRC Centurions and Will Parker, St. Norbert Celtics