Mixed results for ICE on the weekend...

After stepping away from the game together, for a team event on Friday evening, the ICE went into Saturday's game against Eastman with a positive vibe surrounding the team. A hard working Selects team pushed the pace with the ICE for the opening 15 minutes of the period, with both teams getting chances to score first. With just under 7 minutes left in the period, Meara Grant found Rielle Chwartacki in the high slot, and Rielle quickly slid it by the Selects goalie to give the ICE a 1-0 lead. Kathleen Kosior was excellent in net in the first period, stopping all 14 shots she faced. The ICE players were pleased with the lead, but felt they needed to up the ante in the second period, as Eastman controlled the play at times in the first. The second period was much of the same, as both teams skated strong and had their chances. Eastman fired 15 more shots on Kosior in the second, but were not able to score. The score remained 1-0 through the second period as well, leaving the ICE players confident that they could pull this one out. Despite being outshot through two periods, the ICE were playing a solid defensive game, but the players knew they had to take some chances offensively in order to stretch the lead. The coaches were asking for more from the players at intermission, as Eastman was still winning more battles. The team vowed to stay strong through the final 20 minutes and were asked to make this period their best. The third period was another exciting 20 minutes of hockey, as Eastman tried desperately to even the score. The ICE held their own for most of the period, but the Selects simply never backed down. With 8 minutes to go, the Selects found a 2nd rebound, after two big saves by Kosior, and tied it up 1. The ICE bench was not phased, and they pushed back to re-take the lead. The final 8 minutes were just as exciting as the rest of the game, but neither team could net the winner. The game ended in a 1-1 tie. After the game, the ICE players were a little disappointed that they couldn't hold on, but they were pleased with the point against a very hard working Eastman team. There were many positives in this game, but the team agreed that their top level game would have been enough to win on this night...and unfortunately it simply wasn't quite there. We'll take the point and move on to face Westman on Sunday!

The last time Westman visited the ICE at Notre Dame Arena, the ICE pushed them to limit for 50 minutes, before allowing some late goals. Despite facing a very strong Wildcats team, who gave PV their first loss of the season the night before, the ICE were confident they could repeat their amazing performance from the last meeting, except this time keep it together for the full 60 minutes. The players spoke of intensity and work ethic prior to the game, and most importantly of "holding the rope"...a new team concept discussed on Saturday night about team unity. The first period was played at an amazing pace, with both teams holding the balance of play at different times. Despite a very good start for the ICE, Westman scored early on a small breakdown in the ICE defensive zone. Another breakdown, this time on a Wildcats' PP, gave the visitors a 2-0 lead after 1 period. Despite the deficit, the ICE lived up to their plan, as they pushed the Wildcats hard for the entire 20 minutes. The shots were very close through the first period, as Westman had 10 and the ICE had 7. The players and coaches were actually quite pleased with the period, other than the score, and they were all confident that this level of play would pay off. The ICE simply made 2 mistakes, and great teams...like Westman, make you pay. The second period was very similar to the first, as the pace of play was intense. Emily Barber got the ICE closer with a PP goal 3 minutes into the second period, assisted by Elizabeth Carter and Melissa Blaine. The ICE bench erupted and their confidence grew. The rest of the second period went back and forth, but Westman did manage to score to get their two goal lead back. Michelle Kerdes was very good in net in the second period, as she stopped 12 of the 13 Wildcats' shots. Down 3-1 after two periods is not usually a cause for optimism or excitement, but the ICE dressing room was buzzing. The players knew that their play through 40 minutes would be good enough to beat many teams, and that they were 2 shots away from tying this game. The players were all "holding the rope" today and they were hungry to challenge the Wildcats in the third period. All they needed was a quick start and solid team play for the final 20 minutes. So...just over 3 minutes into the period Maddy Neapew scored on the PP, from Jessica Bousquet (AP player from the Midget AA Northeast Predators) and Chantel Olson, to get the ICE within a goal at 3-2. The bench was alive once again and the players were feeding off of each other. The Wildcats knew they had to push back, as the ICE seemed to be gaining momentum. A few minutes after Neapew scored, Westman found a way to stretch the lead to 4-2, which took a little bit of the wind from the ICE sails...but they did not give up. The ICE battled hard to the finish, trying desperately to get back within a goal. Unfortunately, with 3 minutes to go the Wildcats scored twice, once on another PP, to kill any hopes of a comeback. The 6-2 final score does not do the ICE any justice, as they were in this game until the 57 minute mark. The room was silent afterwards and it was evident the team took the loss hard. But the silver lining was how well they have played against some of the best competition in the province. A bounce here or there and more belief in themselves will go a long way as the ICE continue to seek their identity. It is coming girls, hold the rope...and don't let go.

~Coach

A night out with the ICE...

As a change of pace, the post below was written by one of our assistant captains Ashley Kubic. Ashley describes what happened on Friday night, as the team invaded St. Vital for fun, photos, and food...

Our team decided we would do a little team bonding, and bowling won the vote. On December 14th, we headed to Dakota Bowling Lanes, where we learned that punctuality and/or navigation are not our strong points. Once everyone arrived, we had bundles of fun. Slushies were the choice drink for the night, and just a word of advice for Carley...Barber's calf ISN'T a bowling pin, even though it may look like one...

Everyone was decked out in Christmas sweaters and very interesting head pieces, for the multiple pictures that Coach Zack took, with multiple phones. Poor Zack had never seen so many phones, as she proclaimed "there are never this many phones in the box", referring to the dressing room phone box. While bowling, we learned so many new methods of throwing a bowling ball, and even though Meara wasn't there until later, she was still beating Kerds...somehow! A big congrats to Carter, who I'm pretty sure won...if your hockey career doesn't pan out, you could always take up professional bowling!!

Time seemed to fly by and after an hour we headed to St. Vital Centre for a team picture with Santa. The poor guy never knew what hit him! By then it was almost 8:30 and we were all starving, so we made our way to Boston Pizza. Supper was great and we learned a lot about Kit Kat's weird obsession with sloths (btw, love the pics, Kat). Overall the night was superb and brought the team closer together!

~#19 Ashley Kubic