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Team Members:
Erin Bradarich, Erin Callahan, Sydni Espey, Caitlin Flynn, Kelly
Galiniak, Nicole Germaine, Jessica Howerton, Lauren Jones, Kelly
Keogh, Ashley Motherwell, Samantha Patrone, Claire Santostefano, Kathy
Shei, Alyssa Spratte, Sarah Steinke, Katherine Stephans
Head Coach: Steve Jakubowski
Assistant Coach: Glenn Hoff
Assistant Coach: Steve Tuszynski
Managers: Janet Shei and Neil Patrone
Team Illinois 12U Captures 3rd Place at 2004 USA Hockey Nationals
Team Illinois Girls 12U made the journey to Rochester, New York for the USA
Hockey National Championship. TI 12U earned their spot at the series by
defeating the Joliet Jaguars to win the Illinois State Championship and then
eliminating the Wisconsin Wild in a best of 3 series, 2 games to 1 during
the Central District Championships.
Head coach Steve Jakubowski and assistant coaches Glenn Hoff and Steve
Tuszynski had prepared the team of skaters for this National Championship
series from the first day of tryouts. Each girl developed as a vital and
integral part of a single cohesive unit. Team play was the bench mark for
these 16 hockey players.
The first contest matched TI against perennial powerhouse Assabet Valley Red
(MA). These two teams squared off in December at the Polar Bear Tournament
in Connecticut. The result would be the same during this match up as well,
with Assabet Valley taking a 4-1 victory. Team Illinois played aggressively
as they crashed the Assabet net during every rush into the offensive zone.
However, Assabet jumped on an early lead that they would not relinquish. TI
was able to close the gap in the second period as Nicole Germaine slipped a
puck under a sprawling goal tender off a nice feed from Ashley
Motherwell. The TI goal tending tandem of Erin Callahan and Sydni Espey played solid
between the pipes throughout the contest. The fierce defense of TI held the
potent Assabet offense to only 14 shots on goal, however it was enough for
the powerful Massachusetts team.
The second game in pool play found a well rested TI team paired against a
strong and physical Syracuse Stars (NY) elite team. The red line of TI was
virtually unstoppable in this contest. Pinpoint passing and a barrage of ac
curate shooting led the TI girls to an 8-3 victory. The power line of
Nicole Germaine, Lauren Jones and Ashley Motherwell started off the scoring
explosion as each assisted their line mates to score five goals in the first
period. The second period opened much as the first. Samantha Patrone
circled behind the net after receiving a pass from Ashley Motherwell and
Nicole Germaine during a line change. A quick shot off the Stars goaltender
's skates added Samantha Patrone to the scorer's list at 10:42 of the second
period. Claire Santostefano was next to tally a goal as TI moved up the
ice quickly on outlet passes from Caitlin Flynn and Erin Bradarich found
Santostefano all alone in the near circle as TI took a commanding lead 7-0.
The Stars battled back and never gave up on the game and scored 3 unanswered
goals. In the third period TI closed out the contest as Nicole Germaine
collected her third goal of the game set up by defender Kathy Shei and line
mate Lauren Jones. Goalies Sydni Espey and Erin Callahan effectively shut
down the Stars' offense.
Game three pitted the TI girls against one of the fastest teams in the
tournament, Cal Selects (Huntington Beach, CA). Both teams took the ice
hoping to escape with an easy win to advance to the quarterfinals. Both
teams found their powerful offensive schemes shut down by aggressive defense
and back checking forwards. Neither team was able to get on track offensively. Sydni Espey turned back 10
shots from the Cal Selects shooters keeping TI in the contest. Strong work in front
of the TI net by Sarah Steinke, Alyssa Spratte, and Jessica Howerton kept the
California team backed up to the perimeter. Kelly Keogh, Katherine Stephans and
Kelly Galiniak, the "Special K" line trapped Cal Selects deep in their own zone
for much of the contest. The lone TI tally was set up by a heads-up defensive play by
Alyssa Spratte as she saw Lauren Jones streaking up the far boards to slip the
puck under a diving California goal tender. Kathy Shei and Caitlin Flynn collapsed
on the speedy Cal skaters as they tried to slip an errant puck against an ever
vigilant Erin Callahan. The game ended in a 1-1 tie sending both teams to the
quarterfinals.
The quarterfinals matched TI against another strong east coast team, the
Minuteman Lady Flames (MA). Again, this game was dominated by outstanding
defense and superior goal tending. TI had opportunities turned away by
strong goal tending from the Lady Flames. TI utilized all zones of the ice
when Lauren Jones was able to slip by a Flames' defender for a break away in
the 1st period to give the TI Girls a 1-0 lead. The unrelenting Flames were
able to score their only goal of the game midway through the second period.
Sydni Espey and Erin Callahan then closed the door on the Flames turning
back a combined 23 shots on net.
Regulation ended with both teams locked at 1. Overtime was a brutal
exhausting affair. Both teams knowing it was win or go home. The first OT
ended with both teams exhausted still deadlocked at 1-1. The ice was cleaned between periods
giving both teams a much needed breather. TI took the ice for the 2nd OT with a
mission, WIN. The TI attackers were relentless and a pass from Lauren Jones
found Nicole Germaine in the high slot for a quick shot. The shot caromed off the
Flames' goaltender and fell on the goal line and trickled into the net to send the
crowd and TI girls into a frenzied celebration. TI had accumulated 30 shots on goal
during the lengthy contest.
TI was again matched against Assabet Valley Red in the semi-finals. TI was
prepared and ready, however the double OT game earlier in the day had worn
down the skaters. TI played valiantly and had Assabet scrambling from the
drop of the puck. TI played an aggressive game and spent time in the sin
bin in all three periods. Although TI shut down the powerful Assabet power
plays, the TI attackers were unable to generate a sustained offensive attack
needed to break down the Assabet players. Weary legs did not hamper the
spirit of the TI girls as they battled for every possession, never giving
ground or letting up in their quest. Nicole Germaine, once again, lit the
lamp for TI scoring from a centering pass from Lauren Jones. The lone goal
was not enough to hold off Assabet and TI fell in the National Championship
semi-finals 3-1.
Team Illinois Girls finished in third place, taking home bronze medals in
the USA Hockey National Championship series. Sydni Espey and Kathy Shei
competed for TI in the Easton Skills Competition during the tournament.
Nicole Germaine finished 6th in scoring with 9 points, Lauren Jones finished
8th in scoring with 8 points and Sydni Espey finished 3rd in goaltending
with a save % of .943. Congratulations to the Team Illinois Girls 12U hockey team!
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