10U's are Champions at Wisconsin Tournament

The TI 10U's opened the 2004-2005 NIHL season on November 6th with a game against the Chicago Blues. Katie Fitzgerald put TI on the board going strong to the net and getting the rebound off a shot by Kylie Gazzolo. Emma Turbyville tallied next picking up a loose puck in the neutral zone and scoring with a wrist shot from the slot. Kelly Murray then went end to end leaving a rebound in front that Emma deposited in the net for a 3-0 TI lead. Kylie Gazzolo hit the post leaving the disc for Katie Fitzgerald to make it 4 -0. TI kept the pressure on and in the third Kelly Micholson's shot from the high slot made it 5 - 0. Late in the third Katy Ratty took control and setup Eileen Harris for TI's final goal. Alexis Carrizales got the win and shutout in net. Final score: TI 6-0. 

Next, TI played the Joliet Jaguars on November 7th looking to keep their 3 game winning streak alive. Kylie Gazzolo won the draw back to Kelly Micholson at the point, her laser wrist shot put TI in the lead 1-0. In the second, Eileen Harris made it 2-0 with a shot from in front. Kelly Murray weaved through the defense and made it 3-0 on a pretty breakaway goal. Katie Fitzgerald earned the shutout in net. Final score: TI 3 -0. 

On November 13th Team Illinois 10U's traveled to Menomonie, WI to play in the 10U Girls Tournament for the weekend. The team assembled Friday night in a discrete location in Menomonie to plan their strategy for the four game tournament. Team managers Mary Fitzgerald and Chris Micholson, along with assists by Maura O'Malley and Mimi Harris, made the girls Friday Night Alternative's quite fun. The loot going home included scarves, hand crocheted earmuffs, personalized carry bags and other small accessories. 

The girl's first game was on Saturday at 12:40pm. TI opened up against Baldwin. TI dominated the first period taking 9 shots and yielding only 2. In the second period, Kelly Micholson's full ice rush left Eileen Harris with a nice opportunity which she took full advantage of making it 1-0. TI kept the pressure on throughout the period yielding only 2 shots while peppering the Baldwin goalie with 11 shots on net. Eileen Harris cut in down low on a tight angle and her shot hit the goalie and rolled up and over into the net making it 2-0 and that's how it ended with Alanna Serviss earning the win and shutout. 

The girls returned later that night for a 7:35pm game. Chippewa Falls was next up on the schedule. Prior to the game, TI parents and children were aggressively consuming hot dogs, adding to their noon snack total of 18, in pursuit of the 2004 Hot Dog Tournament Trophy (there actually is one). TI was more experienced on the ice and it paid off throughout the game allowing Coach Granato and Coach Piwko the opportunity to move the girls around. 

The girls got off to a quick start getting 9 goals in the first period. In total, 16 goals were scored: 2 each by Jillian Kosteck, Alexis Carrizales, Alanna Serviss, Kelly Micholson and Katy Ratty. Other goal scorers were Kami Weiner, Ellen O'Malley, Eileen Harris, Katie Fitzgerald and Kylie Gazzolo. Perhaps, the one for the ages was Allie Granato's goal after a fine setup from Katy Ratty in front of the net. All total TI took 32 shots. Cheyenne Tuttle making her first start in net for TI got the shutout. 

TI left the ice Saturday night in a strong position to compete for both trophies. Next up on Sunday morning was Altoona. The girls got off to a fast start once again. Kylie Gazzolo put TI on the board off a nice assist by Kelly Murray. Jillian Kosteck shot from the point to make it 2-0. Ellen O'Malley fed Kylie Gazzolo who made it 3-0. Altoona got on the board to make it 3-1. Then, Eileen Harris made a strong move around the net and scored on a wrap around. In the second, Kylie Gazzolo scored, making it a hat trick, off assists by Kelly Micholson and Ellen O'Malley. Eileen Harris' breakaway goal made it 6-1. Late in the second, Katie Fitzgerald scored from in front of the net and then Ellen O'Malley put a rebound home off a shot from Kelly Micholson. Final score was TI 8-3. Alexis Carrizales earned the victory in net. 

The girls dressed and were ready to leave the rink around 9:45am but there was still some unfinished business that was required. Off the crowd marched back to the hot dog stand to add to our total, which had now reached 28. We finished up around 34 and decided it was time to head back to the hotel. We returned to the rink for our last game against Menomonie. It was during this time we were informed that the 2004 Menomonie Hot Dog Trophy was ours. 

Later that day, TI completed the sweep of the tournament by defeating Menomonie. Katy Ratty got TI going scoring off a nice assist by Eileen Harris. Kelly Murray weaving her way through the defense made it 2 -0. Eileen Harris jammed home a rebound making it 3-0. Ellen O'Malley's wrap around made it 4-0. Before the end of the period, Emma Turbyville went in on a breakaway and scored making it 5-0. 

In the second, Ellen O'Malley, Kami Weiner, Katy Ratty, Kelly Micholson scored putting TI up 10-0. Cheyenne Tuttle scored to start the third period along with goals by Kelly Micholson and Katie Fitzgerald to bring the final tally to 13-0. Team Illinois won the tournament outscoring the opponents 39 to 3. 

On November 20th TI 10U's traveled to Geneva to play the Cyclones. The girls played a tough game against a very strong Cyclone Team. They came up on the short end of a 3-0 score. Next up was St Jude at home on November 21st. The girls played a strong first period, which ended in a scoreless tie. The game continued to pickup intensity in the second period when Alanna Serviss made several big saves to keep TI in it. Finally, St Jude's lit the lamp to make it 1-0. Then, TI got some pressure in the offensive zone and off a scramble in front Katie Fitzgerald tied the score 1-1. St Jude came right back though to make it 2-1 and that's how it ended. While the outcome was not a "W", the effort and play of the entire team was first class. Good job, Girls!! The girls are now 2-2 in NIHL. Our November 27th game against Crystal Lake was rescheduled, which left the girls with a little break. Next up will be Glenview on December 4th.