TI 14U#2 Golden Blades Tournament Champions

Coach Margaret Dumiak and Assistant Coach Kathy Dumiak and their Team Illinois Girls 14U #2 team braved the snow and ice on Interstate 94 to travel to The Icebox (appropriately named) in Trenton, MI to play in the Golden Blades tournament January 23rd through 25th. 

First game was Friday against the Leaside Wildcats from Canada. The team had to play short handed when a player was stuck on I-94. Unfortunately, the team came up short and was shut out 3-0. 

On Saturday, the second game was against the Ann Arbor Huskies. Although Ann Arbor jumped out to a lead of 2-0, the team worked hard and two goals by Kim Kowalczyk put TI back in the game. At 9:13 in the 3rd period, Kowalczyk scored again for the go-ahead goal. Angela Sundt, net minder, played the entire game and held off any additional scoring opportunities by Ann Arbor giving TI the 3 to 2 win. 

In the evening, Beth Hitchcock took over the posts against the Michigan Devils. Goals from Jessica Reibel and Hayley Williams put TI up 2-0 for most of the game. Early in the 3rd period, the Devils got one goal. With 3-1/2 minutes to play in the game, the Devils pulled their goalie to try and tie things up, but were unsuccessful with TI earning their second win with the final score 2-1. 

TI had now secured a playoff spot for 7:40 am the next morning, going up against the Leaside Wildcats once again. Hitchcock was back in net after a strong performance the night before, and it showed. Both teams had many shots, but the goalies for both teams were successful. The game went to overtime and with 2:07 remaining in OT, Williams scored on a pass from Reibel to give TI the win 1-0.  

TI was up against the Ohio Flames in the championship game. This was a rematch of sorts as TI had played a tight game against them over the holidays in Connecticut but came up short. Sundt was back in net for the final and TI held up their end of the deal. Reibel came through late in the 1st period to get TI on the board. Early in the 3rd, Kowalczyk scored for TI to put TI up 2-0. With 2 minutes remaining, TI received a penalty and the Flames took advantage and pulled their goalie to gain extra strength on the ice. They were successful with their 6 on 4 and scored to pull within 1 goal. For the remaining minute of the game, the Flames kept the extra skater on the ice, but to no avail. TI was able to hold their lead and won the tournament 2-1. Jessica Patrone was named MVP.