TI 12U Test Their Strength at Chatham Tournament

Team Illinois 12U team tested their strengths and weaknesses against top Canadian teams in the Peewee AA division of the Chatham Outlaws Tournament in Canada on the weekend of November 14-16, 2004. 

At the beginning of the hockey season, the Team Illinois 12U team needed a test against other girl 12U teams early in 2003. Their opportunity came when coaches Steve Jakubowski, Steve Tuszynski, and Glenn Hoff entered the team in the Chatham Outlaw Tourney on November 14 - 16. The TI girls would have to play without the offensive skills of Samantha Patrone, out with a broken wrist. The first game was against the London Devilettes who were undefeated in their league. The London team was able to catch the TI girls off guard at the very start of the game with fast and physical play. The Devilettes scored two quick goals and it seemed as if a rout was on. The TI girls regained composure after the second London goal and the game turned into a defensive battle. In the second period solid passing from Claire Santostefano and Kelly Galiniak allowed Kelly Keogh a wide open slot for the first TI goal. The rest of the second period saw very little opportunities as both defenses stiffened and only allowed a combined total of 12 shots on net. Goaltenders Sydni Espey and Erin Callahan vigorously guarded the net as they split every period. As the 3rd Period opened, TI scored when Katherine Stephans lit the lamp with another assist from Claire Santostefano. With more than half the period left to play both defenses took control. Strong defense by Alyssa Spratte and Caitlin Flynn kept the zone clear. Unfortunately with only 1 minute and 15 seconds left in the game, TI was caught too far into the zone and a game winning breakaway goal was scored by the London Devilettes giving them the 3 to 2 win. 

The second game for the TI girls was against the Bluewater Hawks from Sarnia, Canada. The game started with the TI team totally dominating with 8 shots on net but could not break into the scoring column. On the other side of the ice, the Hawks had only 2 shots on net with one trickling in for a goal. As the 2nd period opened the Hawks offense started taking more shots that would turnover one more goal. With time running out in the 3rd period and TI down 2 goals, TI's offensive power finally showed. Nicole Germaine and Lauren Jones each scored a goal less than a minute apart with assists from Sarah Steinke and Erin Bradarich. TI's powerful defense from Kathy Shei held the Hawks to zero shots on net in the 3rd period. Disappointingly, TI had to settle for a 2-2 tie. 

The third game was an early morning game at 7:00 am against the home team, the Chatham Outlaws. The TI girls came to play and knew that if they won the game they would play in the Peewee AA Championship game later that day. From the start TI's girls were quicker, sharper and better. TI scored early in the 1st period when Jessica Howerton and Kelly Keogh assisted Nicole Germaine. Nicole scored again 2 minutes later with assists from Katherine Stephans and Sarah Steinke. TI's defense was again at the top of their game only allowing 2 shots on net but as it just seemed to be that type of tournament, one of the shots found the net for the Outlaws. The 2nd period turned into a very solid TI defensive game with the TI girls taking a total
of 10 shots on net. However the Outlaw goalie played a flawless 2nd period
not allowing any TI goals. The 3rd period saw a complete reversal with the
Outlaws getting 8 shots on net and TI only taking 2. The Outlaws took the
lead in the game with their 3rd goal when TI had two players in the penalty
box. TI responded with goal from Claire Santostefano assisted by Lauren
Jones and Ashley Motherwell. With a little over 4 minutes left in the game,
several scoring opportunities for both teams failed to produce a game
winning goal. With the game ending on a 3-3 tie, the tournament was over for
TI, but the girls gained the experience they needed for future tournaments.