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Team Members:
Erin Bradarich, Erin Callahan, Sydni Espey, Caitlin Flynn, Kelly
Galiniak, Nicole Germaine, Jessica Howerton, Lauren Jones, Kelly
Keogh, Ashley Motherwell, Samantha Patrone, Claire Santostefano, Kathy
Shei, Alyssa Spratte, Sarah Steinke, Katherine Stephans
Head Coach: Steve Jakubowski
Assistant Coach: Glenn Hoff
Assistant Coach: Steve Tuszynski
Managers: Janet Shei and Neil Patrone
TI 12U Captures State Hockey Crown
Team Illinois 12U team captured the Illinois State Hockey Championship, the
prestigious Blackhawk Cup by defeating the Joliet Jaguars 1-0 at the Edge in
Bensenville. Claire Santostefano was awarded the lone goal of the contest
assisted by Samantha Patrone and Erin Bradarich after a wild scrum in front
of the Joliet net midway through the third period. The hard working TI trio
crashed the net repeatedly until the stray puck slipped by the outstretched
goalie of the Jaguars. The Team Illinois Girls were unable to find the back
of the net through most of the game, as Joliet goalie Kellie Shutter played
outstanding hockey for the Jaguars. Team Illinois dominated the entire game
and out shot the Jaguars 39-9 at the final tally. The Team Illinois defense led by Kathy Shei and Alyssa Spratte held the
Joliet attackers at bay as the potent scoring line of Lauren Jones, Ashley
Motherwell and Nicole Germaine attempted to bombard the Joliet net minder with
numerous shots from every angle of the ice. The faced pace game was an ideal
showcase for the strong fore checking line of Katherine Stephans, Kelly
Galiniak, and Kelly Keogh as the girls dictated play in the neutral zone to keep the Joliet
attackers from setting up any type of sustained offensive push.
Team Illinois forwards sent the puck back to its points in order for the
defense to have long range scoring opportunities. Caitlin Flynn and Sarah
Steinke sent pucks net ward in hopes of deflections or screens would break
the tight game open. Any offensive opportunities by the Jaguars were quickly extinguished by aggressive
defenders Jessica Howerton and Kathy Shei.
The limited shots that did get through the tight TI defense were turned away
by joint net minders Sydni Espey and Erin Callahan. The Jaguars made a late
third period surge but the quick glove hand of Sydni Espey stopped the
Jaguars short in their effort to tie the game.
In the final seconds of the game Kathy Shei was called for a penalty after
logging long minutes for the hardworking TI defense. Joliet pulled Shutter
from the net and sent 6 attackers against the 4 TI defenders for the final
30 seconds. The TI Girls were able to fend off the Jaguar offense and
capture the State Championship for the second consecutive year at the U-12
division.
The team celebrated with a victory lap holding the State Championship banner
for family and friends to see as the standing room only crowd cheered on the
2004 Blackhawk Cup winners lead by Coach Steve Jakubowski and assistant
coaches Glenn Hoff and Steve Tuszynski.
Team Illinois earned a trip to the championship game and a number 1 seed by
defeating Wilmette 7-1, Crystal Lake 4-0 and the same Joliet Jaguars 3-1
during round robin play held at the Crystal Ice House in Crystal Lake.
Team Illinois has amassed an overall record of 28-12-7 through the long
season that began with tryouts in August. The Team Illinois Girls established several goals
for the 2003-2004 season, with the major task to be a return trip to the National
Championship Tournament; this year held in Rochester New York. The 12U team
finished the regular NIHL season with a record of 13-0-3 playing at the Peewee
Silver Level. The team also traveled to Connecticut, Chatham, Ontario and
Sarnia, Ontario to play against the best girls' hockey teams in North America. Team Illinois
has established the Girls Hockey program and particularly the 12U division as one
of the premier hockey programs in the country.
The TI girls will play the Wisconsin Wild in the Central District
Championship Series held in Vernon Hills, Illinois. The winner of the best
of 3 series will earn a trip to the National Championships. TI and the Wild
have met only twice this year with both teams earning home ice victories. A
faced paced, exciting series can be assured.
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