The U19’s took a small break after the New Year’s holiday and jumped back into action on January 14th against the New Jersey Rockets. The Rockets had held TI to a scoreless tie at the Polar Bear Tournament in a game that ultimately cost them a spot in the quarter-finals, and the girls wasted little time exacting revenge. Amy Snickenberger and Emily Sherman notched goals on assists from Ilyse Zack and Katie Osikowicz, and the team out shot NJ 47-18 en route to a 2-0 victory. Ryann McCarthy notched her third shutout of the season.
The following weekend brought the final MWEHL Showcase weekend. This has been a year where it seems that all of the national title contenders happen to be in TI’s division. Despite being eliminated from playoff contention, the girls played exceptionally well this weekend. The Showcase began with a game against the Minnesota Thoroughbreds. The girls from up north flexed their muscles, but TI’s defense was up to the task and Alexi Bloom stopped 25 of 26 shots in a 1-1 tie. Sherman scored the tying goal on a beautiful set up from Kerry Mullins and Zack.
Saturday morning brought a game against North American Hockey Academy, the first place team in the league’s other division. In what turned out to be a see-saw affair, Jillian Kirchner and Ingrid Klockars scored second-period goals to tie the game, only to have NAHA roar back with two more to gain a 4-2 victory. Courtney Bean had an assist on the first TI goal, and Cassie Stoner and Andrea Fuwa led a strong defense.
Saturday night brought the third game of the season against the defending national champs from Shattuck. The girls played hard, but SSM had too many weapons in a 7-0 game.
On the final weekend of the month of January, TI went to Madison to play the Capitols Women’s A team, the UW Women’s Club team, and the Capitols 19U. The girls came away with victories by scores of 5-0, 12-2, and 3-0. Just about everyone on the roster hit the scorebook this weekend. The girls look forward to a Culver weekend and a game against the Eastern Michigan Club team leading into the state championship against the Chill.
