Post-season play. It's a weekend of mixed feelings. It'd be great to advance on either the North Metro playoff side, or the Provincial Play-down side, but both? With one tournament still to go in the season, to move forward on both sides might be too much.
The Play-downs are a one-game round robin in a pool of 4 teams. Only the top team advances to the next round. In round two of the Playoffs, we're paired with Cobourg now - a team who finished first in their division and allowed only 12 goals through the regular season. Their first-place finish gave them a bye into the second round of the North Metros.
Leaside, who finished in second place, is in our provincial pool, will not figure in the weekend, as we played them last weekend and won that battle. Leaside is a talented team and a tough opponent. We like playing Leaside, because their team personality is a lot like our own. They play an intense game, and remember that it's a game. No trash-talking. No hits after the whistle. Games against them are good and clean and fair.
The weekend hockey extravaganza begins with a Provincial Play-down match against North York. We wound up tied for 3rd with North York in the regular season. They're a tough team, who finishes. They have a couple stars who can put the puck in the net.
It's the first game back for Rachel, who left the ice in game 2 of the North Metros, to seek medical attention for a possible forearm fracture. While it's not a fracture, it's still a deep bruise. At practice the other day, she was happy to lace up the skates and grab her stick, but couldn't hide her disappointment that her shot just wasn't what it used to be...yet.
She scores The Dolphins' first goal, high on the stick side, to tie the game. Later in the second period, Niamh pokes a rebound across the line, for the go-ahead goal.
In the third period, Liz ties up The Storm's center and Cat breaks loose from North York's defense. She puts one top-shelf for a short-handed goal and a little insurance.
Late in the third, on a power play, down by 2 goals, The Storm pull their goalie for a face-off in our end. It's a 6-on-3. Becca makes several saves, but we just can't clear the puck. With just over a minute to go in the first penalty, they score. The face-off moves to center-ice. Still no goalie in their net. Cat is in the box, called for interference on an earlier face off. Five-on-four.
North York wins the face off. They fire at our net, pick up the rebound and fire again. Becca continues to make the saves. We clear the puck to the boards. The winger passes to Niamh playing near our blue line. She picks up the puck, puts a move on The Storm's defense and carries the puck down the ice. Seconds to go. A North York player is pushing Niamh to the outside. She waits...then plays the sure thing into the empty net to lock it up.
Final score 4-2.
Tags: [Etobicoke Dolphins] [North York Girls Hockey] [OWHA]
Friday, March 02, 2007
Five Times - Four
Twenty-four hours later, we're at Commander Arena in Scarborough for the final Playdown game, this time against Scarborough.
We played The Sharks twice in the regular season and won. Sometimes the final score doesn't really tell you what the games are like. Our games against Scarborough are like that. Scarborough is a team you can never take for granted. They were only eliminated by North York in the Playoffs in overtime, after forcing a third game in that series.
By the math, a win or tie puts our team into the next round of the Provincials. If we walk away without a point, we have to rely on Leaside and North York to beat Scarborough. The team wants to control its own fate. We want to win.
The Sharks come out strong and hungry for a win. They score early. Settling into the game, Niamh evens it up. Her goal, as described by Martin: She has the puck on her forehand and half the net is wide open. She moves it to her backhand and the goalie is sliding across into position. She swings it around to her forehand again and the net is covered. She flips the puck into the air and scores. 
Our players control the play inside Scarborough's blue line and Jill pops in the go-ahead goal (assists to Laura and Julie).
We are down by 1 halfway through the third period. Out of a scramble in front of their net, the puck squirts loose and Cat buries the equalizer.
The players fight hard to go ahead. Emily skates it out from our corner. Her wrist-shot is gloved by the Shark goalie. Then there's a shot - wide. A shot - high. The pass out front - the winger's stick is all tied up. A shot from Mindy at the point - blocked before it could reach the net.
With just over a minute to go, down by one, Jessica skates to the bench and the extra attacker hits the ice. The Dolphins fought from behind throughout most of the game. This game was just a minute too short.
Final score Scarborough 4, Dolphins 3.
Photo Credit: John Krieger
Playdown v Scarborough
Tags: [Etobicoke Dolphins] [Scarborough Girls Hockey] [OWHA]
Five Times - Three
Sunday morning finds us at Chris Tonks arena for the first game of the second round of the North Metro Playoffs against Cobourg.
The team will be without Cat for a while. She plays soccer on the U16 Provincial Soccer team and they are flying to Chile for some tournament action.
A lot of hockey still to go over the next 48 hours. Endurance will play a role.
Rachel's playing with gritty determination and a sore wrist. Kim is driving the net. Niamh is digging it hard out of the corners. Jill's ready for the pass out front. Natalie's pushing the puck deep. Kim F. is forcing Cobourg to turn over the puck in the neutral zone. Julie's no match along the boards. Liz is winning the face offs. Laura's keeping the pressure on the Cobourg goalie.
Mindy's taking shots from the point. Maddy's slap shot is finding the net. Danielle is first to the puck. Emily's defending Becca in net. Every shift is great. The players are driven. They don't seem to tire.
The game belongs to the goalkeepers. Both net-minders are making big saves. Look at this GIANT stick save by Becca. At the other end, Kim, behind the net, passes out front to Liz...Denied. Then with just over 2 minutes to go in the game, Rachel receives the puck from Liz and puts it in!
With just 2 losses on the season, falling behind isn't something this Cobourg squad is used to. They fail to score with the extra attacker on the ice.
Final score: 1-0. Etobicoke leads the best-of-3 series.
Tags: [Etobicoke Dolphins] [Cobourg Girls Hockey] [North Metro Girls Hockey]
Photo credit: John Krieger
The team will be without Cat for a while. She plays soccer on the U16 Provincial Soccer team and they are flying to Chile for some tournament action.
A lot of hockey still to go over the next 48 hours. Endurance will play a role.
Rachel's playing with gritty determination and a sore wrist. Kim is driving the net. Niamh is digging it hard out of the corners. Jill's ready for the pass out front. Natalie's pushing the puck deep. Kim F. is forcing Cobourg to turn over the puck in the neutral zone. Julie's no match along the boards. Liz is winning the face offs. Laura's keeping the pressure on the Cobourg goalie.
Mindy's taking shots from the point. Maddy's slap shot is finding the net. Danielle is first to the puck. Emily's defending Becca in net. Every shift is great. The players are driven. They don't seem to tire.
The game belongs to the goalkeepers. Both net-minders are making big saves. Look at this GIANT stick save by Becca. At the other end, Kim, behind the net, passes out front to Liz...Denied. Then with just over 2 minutes to go in the game, Rachel receives the puck from Liz and puts it in!With just 2 losses on the season, falling behind isn't something this Cobourg squad is used to. They fail to score with the extra attacker on the ice.
Final score: 1-0. Etobicoke leads the best-of-3 series.
Tags: [Etobicoke Dolphins] [Cobourg Girls Hockey] [North Metro Girls Hockey]
Photo credit: John Krieger
Five Times - Two
The series against Cobourg continues Sunday night, this time in Cobourg at Jack Hannen Arena.
Our players are focused. The talk in the dressing room is all about the game. They want to put Cobourg away tonight. It's do-or-die for the Cobourg team. A loss tonight means their season is over. Neither team is going to lie down.
Cobourg is a fast squad. Rarely will you find their players out of position. They execute the fundamentals with precision. I wouldn't stand in there with the Cobourg forwards bearing down.
Fans are treated to a repeat of the morning's game. Great work at both ends. The Dolphins are outshot by Cobourg, but still forcing the turnovers, taking chances and keeping pressure on the Cobourg goalie. Becca is rock-solid between the pipes.
The hometown fans are calling to the refs for a penalty again. Given the seating arrangement at this arena, I can't give them my over-the-shoulder "What, are you crazy?" look. They'll never understand how much they've been spared.
Funny though, the Cobourg fans complain about their home referees as much as they complained about the Toronto referees earlier. As the emotions in the home stands escalate, this loud fan gets a little quieter. When a Cobourg player has her knees in Liz's helmet, the home fans say that is just how the game is played. When a Cobourg player is on the bottom of a pile of bodies, they're calling for a penalty against our goalie! Perspective is everything.
Both teams are getting away with contact, interference, and some hooking is ignored. In that respect, the refereeing is balanced.
Just over 5 minutes to go in the game and the puck takes a bounce in front of Becca and slips into the net. Later, on a line change, the puck sneaks across the line.
Final score 2-0. Series tied.
Tags: [Etobicoke Dolphins] [Cobourg Girls Hockey] [OWHA]
Our players are focused. The talk in the dressing room is all about the game. They want to put Cobourg away tonight. It's do-or-die for the Cobourg team. A loss tonight means their season is over. Neither team is going to lie down.
Cobourg is a fast squad. Rarely will you find their players out of position. They execute the fundamentals with precision. I wouldn't stand in there with the Cobourg forwards bearing down.
Fans are treated to a repeat of the morning's game. Great work at both ends. The Dolphins are outshot by Cobourg, but still forcing the turnovers, taking chances and keeping pressure on the Cobourg goalie. Becca is rock-solid between the pipes.The hometown fans are calling to the refs for a penalty again. Given the seating arrangement at this arena, I can't give them my over-the-shoulder "What, are you crazy?" look. They'll never understand how much they've been spared.
Funny though, the Cobourg fans complain about their home referees as much as they complained about the Toronto referees earlier. As the emotions in the home stands escalate, this loud fan gets a little quieter. When a Cobourg player has her knees in Liz's helmet, the home fans say that is just how the game is played. When a Cobourg player is on the bottom of a pile of bodies, they're calling for a penalty against our goalie! Perspective is everything.
Both teams are getting away with contact, interference, and some hooking is ignored. In that respect, the refereeing is balanced.
Just over 5 minutes to go in the game and the puck takes a bounce in front of Becca and slips into the net. Later, on a line change, the puck sneaks across the line.
Final score 2-0. Series tied.
Photo credit: John Krieger
Round 2 v Cobourg
Tags: [Etobicoke Dolphins] [Cobourg Girls Hockey] [OWHA]
Five Times - One
Less than 24 hours later and The Dolphins have made the journey to Cobourg Memorial Arena. The Cougars, Cobourg's Jr. A team, call this place home. The 60-year old building is a local Heritage Site. The wooden floors are admired...they'll help the fans make some noise.Stadium seating allows the fans to sit on opposite sides of the rink. One Dolphins player commented that it looked like half the town was out to cheer on the home team. Across the way, the 13 of us sat. Two residents of Clarington, Joe and Victoria, have literally become Dolphins fans overnight. Barb's in her usual spot at the corner. Hugh's behind the net. A couple parents sit at the windows in the lobby that overlook the ice surface. Kevin's missing from his usual post along the boards.
Tension is high as Cobourg wins the opening face-off and puts the puck deep into our end. The players break the puck out cleanly and dump it into Cobourg's end. A quick line change and the forwards are fore-checking and force the turnover. Shots are taken.
Tenacious Kim Selke gives the Dolphins the early lead midway through the first period. Rachel scores her third goal of this 5-game marathon and the Dolphins lead 2-0 at the end of the first. Shots on goal favor Etobicoke 10-4 after the first period.
In the second period, Cobourg gets themselves into penalty-trouble. The fans are proud of our players for not retaliating against the Cobourg players. It can't be easy to hold back.
We have a two-man advantage when Emily's shot from the point finds the top corner. Did it go straight to the corner or get redirected? There's no instant-replay cameras to refer to. Either way, the goal counts.
Cobourg's forcing their offense which allows our forwards to break away with the puck. Natalie, Laura, Jill, Niamh, Julie, Kim F, Liz....they all have some chances.
On defense, Danielle and Emily are using their long reach to poke check and break up plays. Maddy and Mindy are cutting off the paths of the charging Cobourg forwards and clearing the puck to the boards. In net, Becca is flawless.
In the third period, shorthanded, Julie receives the puck at our blue line and accelerates down the ice with it. She leaves one defenseman at our blue line and flies past the other. She has the puck on her forehand and is ready to release her shot when she is dragged down by a Cobourg player who has hustled back. The ref signals penalty for the trip then crosses his hands above his head to award a penalty-shot.
Julie's been working on a new move with her penalty shot at the end of most practices. It's silent inside the arena. We wait to see if she's got some Gordon Bombay triple deke in mind to beat the Cobourg goalie. Julie didn't put it away this time, but you can't beat that kind of excitement.
Adding some more insurance, Rachel scores again. The final minutes play out. The game ends. Final score 4-0. The Dolphins take the series! Congratulations players and coaches!
The team looks forward to a well-earned hiatus over Spring Break. Cross your fingers that the opponent in the third round is just a little closer to home.
Tags: [Etobicoke Dolphins] [North Metro Girls Hockey]
Game photographs: John Krieger
Monday, February 12, 2007
Erie, My Dear
After an intense drive through wintry weather (ice, snow, white-outs) we arrived at the Avalon in Pennsylvania's third largest city, Erie. It was late, well early actually, and we had an early game to open the Sarah Backstrom Tournament.
The team breakfast was scheduled for 7:30 a.m. The itinerary supplied by Dan indicated the bus would leave for the arena at 8:30 a.m. Maddy knocked on our door at 8:25 to see why we missed the breakfast. Well, because we were still sleeping! Turned out the electrical outlet the alarm clock was using had an intermittent power supply problem.
Ready to go in 5 minutes, Jess was not the last one to board the bus - heavily teased, but not the last.
The tough and physical game against Pittsburgh didn't go our way. But we were in it the whole time. The players were caught off guard in the opening minutes: USA Hockey has not yet implemented the interference/hooking/holding rule changes. The players easily adjusted to the different style of the same game. Pittsburgh was a sharp team.
At "The Zoo", I held the door for Ed, who works the penalty box for Mercyhurst's women's hockey team. The women's team at Mercyhurst College is ranked #1 in the U.S. I learned a lot about Mercyhurst from Ed.
Ten hours off and we headed to the arena for game 2. This, against a team we play back home. Once again, we travelled great distance and played a team from next door. On the way to the arena, the players were complaining that their fans (us) are too quiet.
Never one to back away from a challenge, I promised to make a lot of noise in the stands. Before the game, I practiced with some thunder sticks. I sat behind the bench and pounded the glass, stomped my feet, whistled and carried on like a true fanatic. The other team's fans were frightened for my mental health. That one teen looked like he was frightened for his safety. Sure, they were pointing and laughing, but I wasn't letting it hold me back. (Think this was the first time somebody pointed and stared at me?)
There was no way the players would say we were too quiet. Lots of cheering, whistling, clapping, chanting. The metal floor and the bowl-style seating contributed a great echo effect. Oh yeah, the 12 of us were making quite a racket. Coach Mark subtly asked me to move from my seat immediately behind the players' bench. I had my choice of 9,976 other seats to make noise. I couldn't actually see the game from that spot, anyway.
We made some adjustments in the cheering section when the game escalated beyond the refs' control. Read Maximum Security
"It was the highlight of all the hockey games I've ever watched," said Madeline, Natalie's sister. And Madeline's watched a lot of minor hockey.
The team breakfast was scheduled for 7:30 a.m. The itinerary supplied by Dan indicated the bus would leave for the arena at 8:30 a.m. Maddy knocked on our door at 8:25 to see why we missed the breakfast. Well, because we were still sleeping! Turned out the electrical outlet the alarm clock was using had an intermittent power supply problem.
Ready to go in 5 minutes, Jess was not the last one to board the bus - heavily teased, but not the last.
The tough and physical game against Pittsburgh didn't go our way. But we were in it the whole time. The players were caught off guard in the opening minutes: USA Hockey has not yet implemented the interference/hooking/holding rule changes. The players easily adjusted to the different style of the same game. Pittsburgh was a sharp team.
At "The Zoo", I held the door for Ed, who works the penalty box for Mercyhurst's women's hockey team. The women's team at Mercyhurst College is ranked #1 in the U.S. I learned a lot about Mercyhurst from Ed.
Ten hours off and we headed to the arena for game 2. This, against a team we play back home. Once again, we travelled great distance and played a team from next door. On the way to the arena, the players were complaining that their fans (us) are too quiet.
Never one to back away from a challenge, I promised to make a lot of noise in the stands. Before the game, I practiced with some thunder sticks. I sat behind the bench and pounded the glass, stomped my feet, whistled and carried on like a true fanatic. The other team's fans were frightened for my mental health. That one teen looked like he was frightened for his safety. Sure, they were pointing and laughing, but I wasn't letting it hold me back. (Think this was the first time somebody pointed and stared at me?)
There was no way the players would say we were too quiet. Lots of cheering, whistling, clapping, chanting. The metal floor and the bowl-style seating contributed a great echo effect. Oh yeah, the 12 of us were making quite a racket. Coach Mark subtly asked me to move from my seat immediately behind the players' bench. I had my choice of 9,976 other seats to make noise. I couldn't actually see the game from that spot, anyway.
We made some adjustments in the cheering section when the game escalated beyond the refs' control. Read Maximum Security
"It was the highlight of all the hockey games I've ever watched," said Madeline, Natalie's sister. And Madeline's watched a lot of minor hockey.
Read more about Erie
W-erie, My Dear
Late the next morning, a busload headed out for some serious shopping. There was another 8 hours before the next game. Mark and I found North Coast Hockey for some player's skate tune-ups. The owner, Don Marinucci, has a monopoly on hockey equipment and supplies in Erie. His store is well-stocked and the service is exceptional. Don's a transplanted Canadian, from Niagara, and ships product to several regular customers in Canada.
There, we met a parent from Webster, NY whose daughter plays for the Cyclones. Another parent from his team drifted in with some skates that needed sharpening. They were entertained and shocked as Mark recounted our Friday night game.
Turned out the Cyclones drew the quarter-final game at the Igloo and played just ahead of us Saturday night. They lost 1-0. The parents we met at the skate counter considered staying for our game...since we were up against that GTA team from the night before!
Our bench would be without Rachel. The refs determined she needed a game off to reflect on Friday's events. Our opponents were without one skater and one bench staffer. The staffer hadn't done any reflection. If he had, he wouldn't have stood in the corner during the warm-up skate hitting the glass, yelling at the players and swearing like a trooper.
The behavior of some dolts associated with that team was despicable. The epitome of what's wrong with coaching a play to win attitude into a team. A parent from that team actually stood outside our dressing room taunting our players. I was embarrassed for them....and I had embarrassed myself the night before as The Fan From Hell...so that's saying something!
We're lucky that our coaching staff isn't like that. Mark told the girls to keep their heads in the game, not to retaliate and stay out of the box. He reminded them that we play tournaments for fun. Mark expects a well-played game from his players. On the bench, sometimes we hear him holler out "Boards" or "Back" or "Go to the net". He gets emotional, sure. One time, I even saw him take off his hat!
I wasn't up to being the #1 Fan tonight. I tried. I really did. I used the thunder sticks, I stomped my feet. I whistled and clapped. Partway through the third, I had to excuse myself. It wasn't the game, I just wasn't feeling well. And what happened next?
Liz took a check and an elbow to her head then went down hard. She stayed down. The paramedic assigned to the arena sprang to action. With our trainer, they braced her neck and she went off the ice on a stretcher...straight to the hospital. She'll be OK.
Shaken, the team finished the game and boarded the bus. We didn't advance to the semi's.
Pittsburgh went on to win the tournament. My reign as #1 Fan lasted just 24 hrs.
Guys- even Miss USA was given a second chance!
There, we met a parent from Webster, NY whose daughter plays for the Cyclones. Another parent from his team drifted in with some skates that needed sharpening. They were entertained and shocked as Mark recounted our Friday night game.
Turned out the Cyclones drew the quarter-final game at the Igloo and played just ahead of us Saturday night. They lost 1-0. The parents we met at the skate counter considered staying for our game...since we were up against that GTA team from the night before!
Our bench would be without Rachel. The refs determined she needed a game off to reflect on Friday's events. Our opponents were without one skater and one bench staffer. The staffer hadn't done any reflection. If he had, he wouldn't have stood in the corner during the warm-up skate hitting the glass, yelling at the players and swearing like a trooper.
The behavior of some dolts associated with that team was despicable. The epitome of what's wrong with coaching a play to win attitude into a team. A parent from that team actually stood outside our dressing room taunting our players. I was embarrassed for them....and I had embarrassed myself the night before as The Fan From Hell...so that's saying something!
We're lucky that our coaching staff isn't like that. Mark told the girls to keep their heads in the game, not to retaliate and stay out of the box. He reminded them that we play tournaments for fun. Mark expects a well-played game from his players. On the bench, sometimes we hear him holler out "Boards" or "Back" or "Go to the net". He gets emotional, sure. One time, I even saw him take off his hat!
I wasn't up to being the #1 Fan tonight. I tried. I really did. I used the thunder sticks, I stomped my feet. I whistled and clapped. Partway through the third, I had to excuse myself. It wasn't the game, I just wasn't feeling well. And what happened next?
Liz took a check and an elbow to her head then went down hard. She stayed down. The paramedic assigned to the arena sprang to action. With our trainer, they braced her neck and she went off the ice on a stretcher...straight to the hospital. She'll be OK.Shaken, the team finished the game and boarded the bus. We didn't advance to the semi's.
Pittsburgh went on to win the tournament. My reign as #1 Fan lasted just 24 hrs.
Guys- even Miss USA was given a second chance!
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