It was definitely exciting to watch the Winnipeg Ice open their regular season at home on Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately, the end result was not what the home side was looking for.
The Central Plains Capitals spoiled the party Saturday afternoon, fresh off of their own home opener victory on Friday night over Westman. The Capitals scored 2 goals in each period, upending the Ice 6-2.
The first few shifts were fast paced, with the Ice coming out strong and nearly scoring in the opening minute of the game. The Capitals weathered the storm early on and were able the find the net just under 5 minutes into the first period. They found the net again, with 5 minutes left in the period, this time on the powerplay. Despite a quick start, the Ice only managed 3 shots on net in the first period, while they allowed 8 shots against. The second period started the same way as the first, as the Ice had the first chance. But, the Capitals made the Ice pay for a mistake early on in the second period to take a 3-0 lead, and eventually took a 4-0 lead. The Ice tried to take back momentum and worked hard to shift the balance of play, and managed to get a goal back late in the period, as Michelle Anderson scored on a rebound; her linemates Emily Barber and Rielle Chwartacki both got assists. The Ice were poised to finish the period on a high note, despite being down 4-1. The team spoke of minimizing mistakes in the third, and refused to admit defeat after only 40 minutes. The Ice came out strong in the third period, as usually seems to be the case so far this year, and pushed the pace early in the period. As time started to drift away, the Ice pressed for another goal, but the Capitals once again proved too strong on this day, finding the back of the net again to make it 5-1. The teams traded goals later in the period, as Michelle Anderson scored on the powerplay, with an assist from Melissa Blaine. The game ended 6-2, with the Capitals outshooting the Ice 40-12. Kathleen Kosior played very well in net for the Ice, but the Capitals seemed to, well...capitalize...on every single mistake made by the Ice.
Today's game certainly did not go as planned, but once again the Ice continue to make strides as a team. Simply improving, and doing a lot of good things, will not literally earn points in the standings, but it is a sign that this team is in the right direction. Too many mistakes cost the Ice today, but the players know it. As they continue to build as a team, continue to do the difficult things well, and start to minimize their mistakes, this team will hit their stride and win some hockey games. Stay positive girls, your hard work will definitely pay off! Next up, a date with the champs in Morden on Sunday. Go Ice Go!
~Coach
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Final thoughts before it all begins...
In just over 5 hours the Winnipeg Ice will begin a 6 month journey towards the MFMHL playoffs, with their season opening game against the Central Plains Capitals. Since the roster was announced, the team has certainly done a lot in practice and in the gym. The start of the regular season will certainly not mark the end of the learning curve for these players, as each one of them will need to keep learning how to play at an elite level every single game.
The coaches are very pleased with what the team has accomplished so far. The team systems are mostly in place, and the players were able to demonstrate that in some of the games last weekend. In order to have success today, and into the next few games, the players will have to play the team systems better and better each shift, and minimize their early season mistakes.
After a winless exhibition weekend, many people will label this team as the underdog...which is fine by us. However, as this team continues to build and as they work to establish a gritty identity throughout the league, teams better be careful not to underestimate this squad. It was said in one of the first posts on this blog...there is something very special and unique about this group of players, and the league is about to find out first hand!
~Coach
The coaches are very pleased with what the team has accomplished so far. The team systems are mostly in place, and the players were able to demonstrate that in some of the games last weekend. In order to have success today, and into the next few games, the players will have to play the team systems better and better each shift, and minimize their early season mistakes.
After a winless exhibition weekend, many people will label this team as the underdog...which is fine by us. However, as this team continues to build and as they work to establish a gritty identity throughout the league, teams better be careful not to underestimate this squad. It was said in one of the first posts on this blog...there is something very special and unique about this group of players, and the league is about to find out first hand!
~Coach
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Weekend Recap...
This weekend was full of ups and downs, something every team should expect when they play their first 4 exhibition games of the season. While nobody in the Winnipeg Ice dressing room will tell you that this weekend went precisely as planned, the team got over some early nerves, played the champs very tough, and learned a lot about the teams in this league, and also about themselves. The coaching staff and players would have certainly preferred to be in win column this weekend, but truth be told, this weekend was more about learning about teammates, playing the systems, and coming together as a team. The wins become important next Saturday, this past weekend of exhibition games were simply that..a four game pre-season exhibition to get the kinks out. The players did a lot of things exactly as they have been told, and they made leaps of progress from Friday to Sunday. But ask any player on the roster, and they will admit they made a few mistakes along the way as well. Which is certainly what is to be expected this early on.
The first game was explained in a previous post, so we'll recap the last 3 games below.
Perhaps the most exciting game of the weekend was Saturday afternoon as the Winnipeg Ice played last year's National Champions, the Pembina Valley Hawks. After a slow start in the first game of the weekend, the Ice vowed to get going quickly. PV came out very strong on the first shift however, and had 3 good chances on net. Kathleen Kosior made some huge saves on the first shift, as her teammates adjusted to a very quick pace. The Ice weathered the storm and started to push back, leading to a nice goal by Michelle Anderson on a tip from Melissa Blaine's shot from the point. PV pushed back hard and finally managed to beat Kosior about 3 minutes later to tie the game at 1. The first period ended 1-1. The second period was much the same, as the pace was ramped up by a strong skating Hawks team. The Ice held their own and pushed back just as hard, and found a way to take 2-1 lead on a very nice goal by Rielle Chwartacki, who broke free and got a pass from Ashley Kubic, and ended up putting it in the top corner of the net. The 2-1 lead was also short-lived as PV came back and scored on the next shift. The second period also ended in a tie, this time at 2. The Ice were gaining confidence every single shift, and they refused to back down. Although completely exhausted in the second intermission, it was clear they felt great. The third period went much like the first two, and goaltender Kosior continued to put on a show. Spirits were high on the bench, and the players could sense they could get a good result against a very tough team. With the game still tied 2-2 with 5 minutes left, the play was going back and forth but the Hawks were holding the balance of play. With just over 4 minutes to go, PV managed to take the lead 3-2, their first lead of the game. The Hawks proved why they are one of the teams to beat again this year, by finding a way to win a tight checking, hard fought game. PV added one more with a minute to go to win 4-2. Kathleen Kosior stopped 43 of 47 shots in this game.
In the dressing room after the game, the Ice players were understandably disappointed, but the coaches certainly were not. No, a 4-2 loss is not what we were after, but the way the team played (in just their second game together) points to an extremely bright future for this team. The players refused to be pushed around, they battled right up until the end, and they played for each other. What else could a coaching staff ask for? Great work girls, keep your heads up high!
After a quick team meal and a short break the Ice were back at it against the Norman Wild. After such a spirited game a few hours earlier, there is always danger of a let down, especially this early in the season. But the Ice vowed to play the same game as earlier in the day, and they lived up to it early on by taking the lead 15 minutes into the game on a goal by Michelle Anderson. Norman replied quickly, as the first period ended tied at 1. Michelle Kerdes was solid in net through the first period, stopping 7 of the 8 Norman shots. The second period turned out to be the worst of the weekend for the Ice, as Norman built a 4-1 lead through 40 minutes. For whatever reason, the Ice were not firing on all cylinders and were did not have the spark that shone so bright in the earlier game. The intermission seemed a lot longer for the Ice, as the team discussed some corrections and tried to re-kindle some of the spirit that allowed the team to perform so well a few hours before. Whatever was discussed sure seemed to work, as the Ice quickly cut into the lead, making it 4-3 only 3 minutes into the third period. First it was Meara Grant scoring a beauty one-timer goal, assisted by Allie Bednarz. Then Melissa Blaine rushed the puck into the Norman zone and fired one over the goalie's shoulder. The bench was alive and the Ice were determined to pull this one out. But a bad bounce led to Norman's fifth goal and ultimately sealed the 5-3 win for the Wild. This was a tough one for Ice to take, as their confidence was as high as ever going in to this one. The Ice did out-shoot the Wild 37-32.
Sunday was a new day, and the Ice reflected on a very emotional Saturday. The plan was to go out and play a solid team game. The bounces hadn't really gone the Ice's way all weekend, which did not change in the first two minutes of this game either. Yellowhead opened the scoring a minute and 30 seconds into the game on a bank shot off of Kathleen Kosior's skate, after she made two big saves. The goal seemed to stun the bench for the next few shifts. The game went back and forth for the whole game, as the 1-0 score stood up though the first and second periods. A very long weekend of hockey wrapped up in the third period, as Ice fell behind 3-0 before Rielle Chwartacki found the net with 4 minutes to go. Yellowhead played a solid game, and ended up taking it 3-1.
A weekend of ups and downs, but a lot of lessons learned. Despite not finding the win column yet, the Ice can be very proud of how they played this weekend. They players know what needs to be corrected and they definitely know about all the things they all did extremely well. Most of all, the players supported their teammates, through the up and downs, all weekend long. It was positive on the bench and in the dressing room throughout the entire weekend. Was it the result the team wanted for this weekend? No, definitely not. But as of today, the team's league record is 0-0-0. It all starts for real on Saturday. As a team, the Ice will succeed...it's only a matter of time. We are proud of you girls! Go Ice Go!
~Coach
The first game was explained in a previous post, so we'll recap the last 3 games below.
Perhaps the most exciting game of the weekend was Saturday afternoon as the Winnipeg Ice played last year's National Champions, the Pembina Valley Hawks. After a slow start in the first game of the weekend, the Ice vowed to get going quickly. PV came out very strong on the first shift however, and had 3 good chances on net. Kathleen Kosior made some huge saves on the first shift, as her teammates adjusted to a very quick pace. The Ice weathered the storm and started to push back, leading to a nice goal by Michelle Anderson on a tip from Melissa Blaine's shot from the point. PV pushed back hard and finally managed to beat Kosior about 3 minutes later to tie the game at 1. The first period ended 1-1. The second period was much the same, as the pace was ramped up by a strong skating Hawks team. The Ice held their own and pushed back just as hard, and found a way to take 2-1 lead on a very nice goal by Rielle Chwartacki, who broke free and got a pass from Ashley Kubic, and ended up putting it in the top corner of the net. The 2-1 lead was also short-lived as PV came back and scored on the next shift. The second period also ended in a tie, this time at 2. The Ice were gaining confidence every single shift, and they refused to back down. Although completely exhausted in the second intermission, it was clear they felt great. The third period went much like the first two, and goaltender Kosior continued to put on a show. Spirits were high on the bench, and the players could sense they could get a good result against a very tough team. With the game still tied 2-2 with 5 minutes left, the play was going back and forth but the Hawks were holding the balance of play. With just over 4 minutes to go, PV managed to take the lead 3-2, their first lead of the game. The Hawks proved why they are one of the teams to beat again this year, by finding a way to win a tight checking, hard fought game. PV added one more with a minute to go to win 4-2. Kathleen Kosior stopped 43 of 47 shots in this game.
In the dressing room after the game, the Ice players were understandably disappointed, but the coaches certainly were not. No, a 4-2 loss is not what we were after, but the way the team played (in just their second game together) points to an extremely bright future for this team. The players refused to be pushed around, they battled right up until the end, and they played for each other. What else could a coaching staff ask for? Great work girls, keep your heads up high!
After a quick team meal and a short break the Ice were back at it against the Norman Wild. After such a spirited game a few hours earlier, there is always danger of a let down, especially this early in the season. But the Ice vowed to play the same game as earlier in the day, and they lived up to it early on by taking the lead 15 minutes into the game on a goal by Michelle Anderson. Norman replied quickly, as the first period ended tied at 1. Michelle Kerdes was solid in net through the first period, stopping 7 of the 8 Norman shots. The second period turned out to be the worst of the weekend for the Ice, as Norman built a 4-1 lead through 40 minutes. For whatever reason, the Ice were not firing on all cylinders and were did not have the spark that shone so bright in the earlier game. The intermission seemed a lot longer for the Ice, as the team discussed some corrections and tried to re-kindle some of the spirit that allowed the team to perform so well a few hours before. Whatever was discussed sure seemed to work, as the Ice quickly cut into the lead, making it 4-3 only 3 minutes into the third period. First it was Meara Grant scoring a beauty one-timer goal, assisted by Allie Bednarz. Then Melissa Blaine rushed the puck into the Norman zone and fired one over the goalie's shoulder. The bench was alive and the Ice were determined to pull this one out. But a bad bounce led to Norman's fifth goal and ultimately sealed the 5-3 win for the Wild. This was a tough one for Ice to take, as their confidence was as high as ever going in to this one. The Ice did out-shoot the Wild 37-32.
Sunday was a new day, and the Ice reflected on a very emotional Saturday. The plan was to go out and play a solid team game. The bounces hadn't really gone the Ice's way all weekend, which did not change in the first two minutes of this game either. Yellowhead opened the scoring a minute and 30 seconds into the game on a bank shot off of Kathleen Kosior's skate, after she made two big saves. The goal seemed to stun the bench for the next few shifts. The game went back and forth for the whole game, as the 1-0 score stood up though the first and second periods. A very long weekend of hockey wrapped up in the third period, as Ice fell behind 3-0 before Rielle Chwartacki found the net with 4 minutes to go. Yellowhead played a solid game, and ended up taking it 3-1.
A weekend of ups and downs, but a lot of lessons learned. Despite not finding the win column yet, the Ice can be very proud of how they played this weekend. They players know what needs to be corrected and they definitely know about all the things they all did extremely well. Most of all, the players supported their teammates, through the up and downs, all weekend long. It was positive on the bench and in the dressing room throughout the entire weekend. Was it the result the team wanted for this weekend? No, definitely not. But as of today, the team's league record is 0-0-0. It all starts for real on Saturday. As a team, the Ice will succeed...it's only a matter of time. We are proud of you girls! Go Ice Go!
~Coach
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