The Winnipeg ICE were extremely proud to be a part of "Female Hockey Fights Cancer" on Saturday in Selkirk. The Winnipeg ICE and the Winnipeg Avros, along with Hockey Winnipeg raised nearly $14,000.00 for CancerCare Manitoba in the event. Close to 850 people attended the game, and the ICE and Avros kept them on the edge of their seats all game long. Wearing customized pink and baby blue jerseys, the ICE certainly looked the part in this amazing charity event.
It was a quick start to the game, as the cross-town rivals sized each other up in their first of four meetings this season. The game went back and forth, as the crowd cheered every close chance. Both teams had opportunities to score in the opening period, but the score remained 0-0 after 1. The ICE players were more relaxed after the first period, as their nerves started to settle. Playing in front of so many people gave both teams a little more energy, but also raised the stakes a little bit. The Avros struck first on a powerplay midway through the second period, but ICE refused to back down. The ICE pushed back and found a way to tie the game at 1 before the second period ended. Kelli Rowswell scored from Jessi Campbell and Nicole Adamyk to even the score through two periods. ICE goalie Michelle Kerdes stopped 14 of the 15 shots she faced through two periods, including several great saves.
The third period started slowly but the Avros quickly turned up the heat, finding a way to take a 2-1 lead 4 minutes into the final frame. They added another goal less than 5 minutes later to deflate the ICE bench. The ICE lost a little energy and couldn't get back into the game, as the Avros take the first meeting 3-1. It was a close game for the most part, but the ICE know that anything less than 60 minutes will not cut it against their closest rivals.
While the result wasn't what anyone in the ICE camp was looking for, the overall event was spectacular. It was great for the two Winnipeg teams to come together for such a great cause. Despite the loss, the coaching staff was very proud of the players were able to accomplish throughout this event. Looking forward to next year's event....let's aim for $20.000 next year!
