On a scale of 1 to 10 the 12U’s season was an 11!! The team won
the first NIHL Banner for an all girls team in Illinois (since the
rules have changed) taking the 4th Place banner in the Pee Wee
Silver Division in February.
Two weeks later, the 12’s defeated the Chill 8-0 for the Blackhawk
Cup/Illinois State Championship. Then, on March 18th, they clinched
the Central District Championship by beating the Madison Capitols 2
games to 1 and advanced to Nationals.
Sixty-five players and fans shuffled off to Buffalo, March 28th thru
April 2nd, for the USA Hockey National Championships. There were
brothers, sisters, friends, uncles, aunts, grandmas, grandpas,
cousins, moms and dads. The crowd was loud and wore the TI blue and
white proudly.
The team arrived in Buffalo and practiced with the 16U’s. The season
would not have been the same without these players or Coach Cachey
and Coach Margaret. Thank you for the support and cheers and for
taking this team under wing and showing us how to act like
champions!! We learned so much and will always cherish your
friendship.
TI played their first game against Assabet Valley and lost 2-0. What
they lacked in offense they had on D. In fact, the goalies had a
combined GAA of 1.5 in the National Tournament and TI goalies, Julie
and Steph, were ranked 4th and 5th out of 19 12U goalies at
Nationals. Way to go net minders and thank you for a consistently
great season!
That evening the team went to the opening Ceremonies where we
enjoyed the parade of players and a speech by a Women’s Olympic
Hockey star, who was quite an inspiration to our girls.
The second game was against The Heartland Selects and TI really
played like they “can” and won 5-0. The team then had to gear up for
the next round robin game. A victory in this third game allowed the
12’s to stay and be part of the Elite 8 … and the 2-0 victory over
the Colonials allowed just that. In the three round robin games we
held our opponents to just 2 goals. TI 12’s made it to the final 8.
Unfortunately, our good luck ended with an OT loss to the Anaheim
Lady Ducks. All went home feeling good about the efforts and sad
that this season had to end. Are final season statistics were
impressive at 28 wins, 17 losses and 7 ties.
Finally, the team has to thank our wonderful coaches Steve, Glenn
and Victor for providing us with guidance and knowledge on and off
the ice. Also, a huge thank you to our mangers for helping with
everything this season – thank you Barb Baker, Chris Micholson and
Sarah Ratty.
On a personal note, as parents we would like to thank our girls for
making this year so memorable and very, very special. You have
achieved things this season that you will never forget. You’re a
great bunch and we will miss not being together next year. Good luck
to Haley Baker, Samantha Edelson, Carolyn Fuwa, Katelyn Hodgman,
Stephanie Lemke, Samantha Ratty, Giovanna Senese and Madeline Tank
at 14U’s. And continued good luck to the remaining 12U’s – Randi
Fabsits, Julie Gunnerson, Eileen Harris, Jilly Kosteck, Kelly
Micholson, Kelly Murray, Cara Piazza and Katy Ratty.
We are proud to have represented Team Illinois this year!
