While the scores do not paint a rosy picture, the play of the Winnipeg ICE this weekend against the MFMHL's two top teams certainly illustrated that the future looks bright.
Still without two Ds, Tasia and Ashley were still injured, the ICE took on the Pembina Valley Hawks in Holland, MB on Friday night. Nicole Scofield, from the Bantam AA Northeast Predators played as an AP for the ICE. The team jumped out to an early lead, 15 seconds into the game, on a goal by Jessi Campbell. The quick start seemed to shock PV, but they roared back and found a way to even the game in the next 6 minutes. The good feelings of strong start to the 1st period by the ICE was dampened when PV scored twice in the final 5 minutes, one of which resulted from an odd deflection and crazy bounce off one of the ICE Ds. Satisfied by the first 15 minutes of the period (but not 20), the coaches urged the players not to be discouraged by the 3-1 deficit and to focus on scoring the next goal. The Hawks continued to pressure the ICE early in second period, and managed to make it 4-1, before Chantel Olson scored on a rebound to bring the ICE back within 2 goals. The Hawks capitalized, for the second time in the period, on the ICE's inability to get the puck out their defensive zone, to make the score 5-2 after two periods. The coaches and players were disappointed with the scoreline, but felt that the persistence and effort might pay off in the third. The ICE saved their best for the third period, as they took control of the third period and pushed PV to the limit for the final 20 minutes. Michelle Kerdes was very good in the third period, as PV did manage to get some good scoring chances. Although the dangerous PV PP did manage to score 1 goal, the Chatel Olson scored her 2nd goal of the game to make it 6-3. The game ended that way, but the ICE left Holland feeling pretty good about holding the balance of play for the final period against a very tough team.
Because of the sketchy weather, and long drive back to Winnipeg from Holland, the coaches asked the players to wait for everyone to leave together following the game. The team drove home in a convoy...and it turns out, it was a good thing they did. Jaime Bednarz, with Allie and Tasia in the car, was forced to avoid a rogue semi-trailer who dangerously pulled out in front of her. She managed to avoid a collision but found her way, safely, into the ditch. Several ICE parents/players/coaches stopped on the side of the highway to assess the situation. Thankfully, everyone involved was ok, despite being understandably shook-up. A big thanks to everyone who stopped, it shows how important everyone involved in this team really is. A huge thanks to Doug Roxburgh who was able, after a few good tries, to get the Bednarz's SUV high enough out of the ditch so that a few parents (thanks Mr. & Mrs Soupy) and coaches could eventually push it on to the highway. A scary moment was turned into roadside team bonding!
Showing signs of confidence, despite a loss to PV two nights prior, the ICE were excited to face the league's second ranked team, the Westman Wildcats. With a 9-1 loss to Westman in Hartney, as well as Tasia's injury in that same game, still fresh in their minds, the ICE vowed to get a quick start and push hard for a positive result. For the second straight game, the ICE came out very strong, scoring 90 seconds into the contest. Along with Nicole Scofield, who was playing in her second straight game as an AP player, Savannah Rennie, from the same Bantam AA team, opened the scoring for the ICE. Westman managed to tie it up 6 minutes later, but the ICE played tough and tried to keep the momentum. Kathleen Kosior was very good in net, stopping 15 of the 16 shots she faced, as the 1st period ended 1-1. At intermission the ICE players had a confident look in their eye. They knew that they only played 20 minutes, but felt that if they played like that for 40 more, they would have a good chance of winning this game. The team looked very focused and quite excited to play the second period. Westman poured it on in the second, but the ICE were equal to the task. The teams traded chances early in the second period, but Westman found a way to score twice in 22 seconds to take a 3-1 lead. Not phased by this tough turn of events, the ICE found back with a goal of their own to make it 3-2, and managed to re-ignite the energy on the bench again. Chantel Olson's goal, from Michelle Anderson, gave the ICE hope once again. The crazy second period continued to excite everyone in attendance, but Westman made it 4-2, less than a minute after Olson scored. Showing some extremely good character, the ICE still refused to go away, scoring on a PP to make it 4-3 on a great shot from the point by Melissa Blaine, assisted by Sara Reuther and Savannah Rennie. The teams kept up the pace for the rest of the period, but neither team scored again. What a period! What a game through two periods! These two periods were perhaps the best the ICE have played this year, and they were able to push a very good team to the limit. The players were more excited than happy at intermission, and they spoke of not being satisfied with only 40 minutes in the books. The ICE vowed to make it tough on Westman and vowed to keep doing the things they did in the first two periods. Unfortunately, Westman proved why they are one of the best teams in the province, perhaps in the country, by stepping up their play to another level in the third. Despite a valiant effort, the ICE could not hold off the Wildcats on this day. Westman ended up scoring 3 times in the 3rd to win 7-3.
The players took the loss pretty hard, although they really needed to feel proud of the way they played over 40 minutes. The players understand that it will never be ok to lose, but after a game like this one...so long as they could see how they can compete with the best when everyone buys in...then the future is bright for this team. What an exciting game it was...here's to lots more like that in the future. Be proud girls, but never satisfied...
~Coach
