TI’s 14U’s showed what a great TEAM they are at the Connecticut Polar Bears Tournament December 26-30, 2005. Posting a 4-1-2 record over the week, TI lost only to eventual Champion Assabet Valley in the semi-final. The tournament saw 26 U.S. and Canadian teams entered in the 14AA bracket, with the winner of each of 5 divisions and 3 “wild cards” making the playoffs.
While the offensive prowess of Nicole Germaine, Jocelyn Simpson, Erin Bradarich, Amanda Boskovich, Ali Svoboda, Maggie Hunt, Lauren Jones, Emma Rambo and Alex Laskero continued to improve and dominate most play, it was the defense of Laura Lichterman, Kathy Shei, Ann Doherty, Cheri Klosak, and Brianne Mahoney that handled North America’s best teams. TI’s defense showed how truly effective they are, with no team all week registering more than 14 shots against TI during the tournament.
TI posted a practice game tie against the host Polar Bear’s top team, which eventually lost in the Championship game. TI’s first tournament game was also a tie, against Quebec’s top team, Remparts Du Richelieu. TI then dominated play against the Cal Selects (5-0) Top Gun, Ma. (14-0), and the Syracuse Stars (4-1). The girls’ play was solid all week, and they remained the only undefeated team in their very competitive division, earning TI a quarter-final spot against cross-town rival CYA.
In the quarter-final, both teams faced stingy defenses, with TI getting the lone goal for a 1-0 victory, and its 4th straight win over CYA. TI faced eventual Champion Assabet Valley in the semi-final, falling 2-0, despite giving up just 11 shots to the perennial powerhouse. TI impressed all in attendance, being the only team to have faced 4 of the playoff teams, including all 3 semi-finalists in the tourney, with just the one loss. Further, the MWEHL showed it truly is an “elite” league, with all 3 MWEHL participants in the tourney making the playoffs after winning their respective divisions (TI, CYA and Madison Capitals).
The 14U Girls finished another great month in the Midwest Elite Hockey League with a December record of 4-1, and an overall record of 9-1-2. TI remains all alone at the top of the league standings with just 6 games left to play.
TI Posted wins of 3-0 over Madison; 6-1 over previously unbeaten Honeybaked; 10-2 over the Texas Blaze; and 7-0 over Belle Tire. TI’s lone loss come at the hands of Victory Honda, a game which saw TI outshoot its opponent 25-15! TI was led by goaltenders Kellie Shutter and Yardena Grumet-Morris, who combined to let in just 4 goals for the month. Great job goalies!
TI finishes MWEHL league play with “local” games against CYA and Madison, before their final MWEHL weekend January 20-22, facing Colorado Selects twice, St. Louis and Montgomery Blue Devils.
Likewise, the 14U’s had a great month in NIHL play, posting a 3-1 December record, improving their overall record to 6-4, good enough for 4th place in Bantam Silver Tier I to end 2005. TI posted wins of 4-2 over the Sabres and 4-0 over Peoria, both teams having beaten TI earlier in the year. TI also was victorious over the Jaguars 5-1. The lone NIHL loss was a 1-0 nail-biter with the Irish Rovers, where TI out shot South Bend 28-10.
TI finishes NIHL league play with 6 games in January, including one game each against all three teams ahead of them in the standings.
