The first opponents were the Thrashers, a local team known for getting an early lead and sitting on the puck. This strategy proved futile as the game progressed and the girls took on a more European style of play. The Thrashers opened the first wound with a weak shot that squirted past Emma Turbyville who would end up standing on her head during the rest of the game (and also making a lot of saves). The TI girls had their first opportunity with a sweet pass from Kate Landers to Cheyenne Tuttle only to be subdued by the Thrashers Biggie Sized goalie (this reporter wanted the pads measured)!
Later in the period, the Thrashers scored on deflection off 11 players even though there were only ten on the ice, you do the math. With that goal the girls were down 2-0 even though we had great scoring opportunities from Ellen O’Malley on a huge breakaway, Natalie Smith threading the bagel to Gina Horton only to be stoned by the goalie and Hayley Winker digging in the slot like a 49’er looking for gold. Still, nothing on the board for the TI girls. Coaches Granato and Mellen sensing a funk rallied the girls in a passionate, extemporaneous speech spoken entirely in French; this being all the girls needed as the next face-off proved to be the catalyst. In a breakout not seen since the ’72 CCCP squad, Mattie Hartman pinpointed a pass to Amanda Conway who reeled around and caught Erika Truschke in full stride splitting the Thrasher “D”. Truschke, alone and closing in on the Super Sized goalie (he got bigger between periods), noticed there was some fine dining available on the top shelf and said, “I’ll take some of that”. TI goal and karma shift. A few minutes later, in a play reminiscent of the Bobby Orr Bruins, Maddie Hartman skated the puck down the ice, fending off the opposition only to push a sweet pass to Kammi Weiner who buried it, – hey let’s do lunch and dish. The Thrashers didn’t know what hit them! The second period ended in a 2-2 tie and a Thrasher in the box with a slashing penalty, or was that an axing?
The 3rd period would prove to be stellar. During the time-out, coach Mellen rallied the “D”, dusting off the names of Vladimir Lutchenko, Yuri Liapkin and Viktor Kuzkin, telling the girls these defensemen, probably the best the world had ever seen, were once 8, 9 and 10 year olds too. As the glaze from the girls eyes wore off, the puck was dropped to start the 3rd. Again, deft defense started the next goal with Colleen Callahan standing up a Thrasher player while Jordan Thoma chased the puck into the corner to ignite the break-out cum break-away by Truschke who noodled her away the Extra Value goalie to give TI the lead. The period turned into the best the girls have played all weekend, dominating the Thrashers who would become the eventual tournament winners. With 1:33 left to play, the unexpected happened, the Thrashers who were getting a woopin’ by the girls, snuck one in after a huge pile up in front net, a goal the boys from Streets & Sanitation would be proud of. Game ended in a 3-3 tie, the Thrashers lucky to leave the game with a point.
After a night reviewing films and discussing strategy with Chris Chelios, the girls came into game 2 ready for a battle. The Vipers were the local favorites but this did not deter the TI girls when Emma Turbyville, leaving the goalie tools at the hotel, lit the lamp a minute into the game to give the TI Girls the lead. Later in the period, Turbyville scored again, assisted by Taylor Arenz who started the break away that eventually led to the 2-0 lead. But the shut out was short lived as the Jaguars answered a minute later.
The second period saw the Vipers playing the role of the infamous “Broad Street Bullies”. Physical play was the game and the girls would not be intimidated. Flying down the ice and playing their usual style of fast break hockey, the girls usually out-skated the opposition but when needed, they weren’t dissuaded to bang the corners or crash the net. Gina Horton opened the scoring 2 minutes into the period with a beautiful flop pass from Allie Granato, 3-1 good girls. The girl’s defense was stealth, stifling odd-man breaks, penalty kills and even a 5 on 3 kill, shutting down any attempt the Vipers had to score.
The third period saw a dominant TI squad peppering the Vipers goalie so often he looked like Lucille Ball trying to package the chocolates – it just ain’t going to happen. Amanda Conway scored the final goal on a shot from the slot set up by a nice centering pass from Morgan Turner. Game ended with TI winning 4-1
The girls never got into game 3 looking sluggish and not having the jump they had in the earlier games. There were some terrific individual opportunities, but the team never seemed to jell as they had done earlier in the tournament. Defense was a bright spot during this game as Kami Weiner, playing goalie, looked strong, and flashing leather like a gaucho on the pampas. The girls lost this game which ended their chance for a finals cotillion, but this game was well played and one the girls should be proud of. On to
NIHL!
