Saturday morning brought us onto the big ice in Essex for a rematch after tournament play in the Lakeshore semi finals against Essex White. The puck dropped and both sides skated with intensity but the pressure certainly remained in our zone for the majority of the game. The first period came and went with a few SCP chances on Essex, but we held off for a 0-0 score going into the second. Our defense and Olivia worked together to stop everything that came out front. The onslaught continued from Essex into the second period with the SCP squad struggling to get out of their zone, Essex found the back of the net three times in the second, however with only 36 seconds left in the second Charlotte Hill found the boards to get Blair Davis set off on a break away, a little deke, and the puck slid though the goalies legs and found the back of the net to get us on the board. The third period showed a revived group of ladies in Blue, and we were able to gain their zone but struggled to keep possession. Essex was able to fight and find the back of the net one more time to finish up leading 4-1 in the end and leading in shots on goal 37-9. The shots on goal alone, to anyone reading this, can attest to the great saves made by our tendy to keep the game that close.
Sunday brought more extra ice time, this full ice practice focused on some specific skills that need more time to develop. The girls were able to take away shooting and puck control skills that can be worked on at home to keep being developed each and every time we are on the ice. It was a great warm up for the game only an hour later. This game was a great test, as we welcomed the Lakeshore White squad into our home barn for yet another battle. Each time we have played this team the scores get tighter and tighter, a simple reminder that all teams are being coached to get better in this very competitive division. This was our game to test to see if our squad could put all the lessons and skills being developed in practice into game play, and for any spectators that were their, witnessed it our girls putting lessons into action. This contest allowed these SCP young ladies to show that they can dominate a game and make more shots count by hitting the net and looking for open ice to make some plays. As Coach Travis has said many times in the dressing room, “it can be more important what you do away from the puck than with the puck”, they started to do just that. It didn’t take long for SCP to get on the scoreboard, Sophie Gobbo with a wide angle shot got it all started @8:01 in the first. Elle Brinacombe kept the pressure up to move the score to 2-0 assisted by Alyssa Middleton. Blair Davis finished the scoring in the first @4:01 remaining with a nice snapshot, top shelf. The preds didn’t let up going in to the second scoring early with Blair Davis getting her second of the game with the assist on the game sheet going to Sophie Gobbo. The preds kept up the pressure but were taking better care to not give up the puck, not take bad shots and were making their efforts count. While at the other end of the ice our solid defense and goalie skill was on display because the Lakeshore squad took the opportunities they could to take shots, but we were better at keeping our net empty of pucks. The wall work by our wingers and defense made short work of Lakeshores offensive zone time as we were determined not to lose any battles. The start of the third period continued with adding to the score board, Blair Davis completed her first hat trick of the season at 11:20 of the third, then followed up by Elle Brinacombe @8:58 for her second tally of the contest. Blair Davis counted her fourth of the game by making sure to follow Elle Brinacombe to the net on a rush and was there to chip in the rebound up and over the goalies pad to find the back of the net, Elle’s efforts were rewarded with the assist on the goal. With only 10 seconds remaining Blair Davis found the net for the 5th time in the game to ensure the scoresheet showed 8-0. The shots totalled 22-11 in favour of SCP, showing we maximized every scoring opportunity we were given, and a well deserved shut out for Olivia Versnel, making sure no rubber discs crossed her line!! What a great way to end the weekend Team Blue, congrats for a great week of time on the ice. Now we wait to see our efforts in our next big game this weekend against our Amherstburg association mates, SCP Yellow. We only have two games remaining before the regular season comes to a close, lets show our opponents we mean business!!! See you tonight at practice, GO BLUE!!!