14U#1's Play Tough in Connecticut

The TI 14U#1 team finished off the year at the 2004 Annual Polar Bear Tournament held in Connecticut over the holiday break. The team posted an overall record for the month of 5-6-1 and a season record of 23-26-3. The team remains atop the standings in the Midwest Elite League with a record of 10-2-1. 

The Polar Bear Tournament pitted the TI girls against some of the strongest teams in North America. The first game matched the 14's against the Buffalo Bisons. In a high scoring affair the Bisons outscored TI by a score of 9-4. Hayley Williams tallied a hatrick as Nicole Germaine picked up a single tally in the contest that was dominated by a hard charging Buffalo team. Both goalies were utilized in the game. That evening the players, coaches, parents and siblings celebrated their holiday party at a local New Haven pizza/brewery called Bru Rm @ Bar. 

The next game had the 14's playing against perennial powerhouse Assabet Valley Red. TI took advantage of a young Assabet team and pounded in 4 goals as Erin Callahan recorded the shutout for TI as they skated to victory 4-0. Lauren Jones recorded 2 goals and an assist while Ashley Motherwell and Hayley Williams picked up single goals assisted by Jones and Germaine. 

Later in the day TI faced off against Top Gun, an elect team from the Massachusetts area. The game was evenly matched and the score at the end of regulation was deadlocked at 2 a piece. Erin Bradarich and Lauren Jones lit the lamp for TI assisted by Jessica Patrone and Ashley Motherwell. Kellie Shutter was between the pipes for the evening contest. 

The final match of the tournament squared TI against the Brampton Canadettes. The Ontario team has a reputation as a big strong physical team. The strength and physical play of the Brampton team was enough to give the Canadettes the edge in the game as the close contest ended with TI coming up short in the 3-2 decision sending the 14's home earlier than expected. 

The team will wrap up their seven remaining MWEHL games over the next three weekends. On January 15th they take on the Madison Capitals and Victory Honda in Kenosha, WI. On January 22nd the 14's play the Wisconsin Wild locally at 7 Bridges. Then on January 28-30, they travel to Detroit for the finale of the regular season with a 4 game set.