14U#2 Break Even at Polar Bear Tournament

The 14U#2 team traveled to Cromwell, CT for the 19th Annual Connecticut Polar Bears Tournament. Since this was their first tournament of the season, the girls were excited. A practice the first night there helped get the blood flowing and get some of that extra holiday food out of the system. The first game was against the Bay State Sharks of MA on Dec. 27th. As soon as the clock started, TI gained the lead when Hayley Williams put one in the net 21 seconds into the first period. Less than two minutes later, Nicole Camardo added to the total to put TI up 2-0. With 5 penalties called on TI players, Beth Hitchcock had her work cut out for her and was challenged many times. The Sharks fought back and although she played a solid game, our lack of offense and players on the ice was too much. The final score was 6-2. 

Game 2 on Dec 28th was against the Ohio Flames. This was a tight game with each team scoring in the first. TI goal: compliments of Jaclyn Camardo with help from Ellie Howser and Hayley Williams. Early in the 2nd, the Flames went ahead 2-1 and the score remained there until late in the third. With a little over a minute remaining in the 3rd period, TI had the man advantage when the Flames were called for a check. Coach Margaret Dumiak decided to pull goalie Angela Sundt, so we could have a 6 on 4 man advantage. On the ensuing face-off, the Flames gained control of the puck and shot it down the ice. Obviously, luck was on their side and it entered the net to put them up 3-1. With 10 seconds remaining in the game, TI capitalized on the extra strength and Jessica Patrone was able to get the puck in the net to bring us within one (3-2). On the face off, TI offense gained control again, and drove into their zone for a final try. With seconds ticking down, the Flames goalie finally covered the puck with a second remaining on the clock. At the final puck drop, Hayley Williams took the face off and fired at the net. The shot was on net, but the Flames goalie was also in position. In spite of a second loss, it was a great come back game for the girls as they never gave up. 

Games 3 & 4 were played on December 29th. The first game of the day was against the hosts, Connecticut Polar Bears. TI took the lead in the game and never looked back. Beth Hitchcock played a solid game, made many great saves and with the help of her offensive units and some penalties on the CT side, TI persevered. Goals were scored by Jessica Patrone, Hayley Williams; two by Kim Kowalczyk and the final goal early in the 3rd by Nicole Camardo with help from Hayley, once again. The Polar Bears were able to get one goal in the 3rd period, but TI was victorious, with 5-1 being the final tally. 

TI ended up 2nd in their division and played a consolation game that night against the Lone Star Wolves of TX. TI dominated the puck control game but the Lone Star goalie continued to make saves. Late in the 1st, TI finally put one on the board when Jessica Patrone scored, with assistance from Kim Kowalczyk and Tanya Weiner. Angela Sundt manned the net and TI continued to battle back and forth for control. With 7 seconds left in the 3rd, Nicole Camardo iced the victory and TI ended the tourney on a high note with a final score of 2-0. 

Since returning from CT, the girls have remained upbeat. On January 4th, they played Glenbrook HS and lost a squeaker 2-1 with GBHS scoring late in the third on a pass from behind the net to an open player in the slot. The lone goal was scored by Sydney Lieb. The goalies split the game. Given that the majority of that team was upper classmen, the girls played great and really proved their abilities. 

On January 8th, TI was back to playing the boys. They came back with a vengeance and beat Cyclones #2 by a score of 6-3. Hayley Williams scored a hat trick, one goal was unassisted, but she had help from Kim Kowalczyk and Kara Salisbury on one and from Nicole Camardo on her third goal. Paige Hoppie scored her first goal of the season with help from Jaclyn Camardo. To round out the scoring, Kim Kowalczyk scored on a pass from Jessica Hoelzer, and Jessica Patrone was assisted by Kim Kowalczyk and Sydney Lieb on the final goal. Beth Hitchcock again was on her game that day and played the game to completion. 

The other players who have contributed to our recent successes include Kaitlyn Key and Jessica Reibel. 

Coming up next for the girls is the balance of their NIHL games and a trip to Michigan to play in the Golden Blades tournament.