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Varsity Girls Hockey: January Update

Bernie Pimm
The Stanstead College Spartans Varsity Girls wrapped up their last long road trip of the year, going 4-0 in NAPHA league play in Buffalo, at Nichols Academy on the weekend.
Combining for 18 goals for and 2 against, the Spartans dominated in every aspect on the weekend, running their NAHPA League record to 12 -0-1, securing their 5th regular season title in a row.

This was a good response, after losing our last 2 games of the JWHL Challenge Cup in Arlington, VA., the weekend before. By winning their first 3 games of the Challenge Cup, including a thrilling 4-2 win against NAHA White, the girls dropped an emotional 3-2 quarterfinal game against arch rival, Balmoral Hall, Winnipeg on Sunday in Washington. Monday morning, in a consolation game against Ridley College, the girls got behind 3-0 again, before clawing their way back to tie it, mid-way through the 3rd period. Earning her 10,11, 12th goals of the tournament, Team Canada standout, Shailyn Snow, pushed back in a heavy way, leading Ridley to a 6-3 victory with a 3rd period hat trick. It was the most dominant effort we’ve seen by one player all year, clearly striving to make sure her team beat Stanstead College at least once before her reign at Ridley came to an end.   Her performance showed our young group, first-hand, what a world class performance looks like!

As has been the case all season, the girls continue to struggle on Sundays of tournaments, when competitive pressure is at its highest. Despite our depth of young talent, we are learning how important it is to prepare properly and stick together when it matters most. As a team, we are still learning what it takes to compete for each other at the highest level.

Despite our 36-9-2-2 record, there is a sense of underachievement in our group that will serve us well moving forward. Challenges like the upcoming NAPHA Championship and tournaments in the future will provide opportunities for collective growth and improvement moving forward.

The Challenge Cup losses were the 1st two of 2019 as the Spartans finished up gruelling January of three long road trips (Boston, Washington, Buffalo) with a 12-2-2 record. Our young girls have grown so much because our veteran leaders are some of the best kids I’ve ever coached. Buffalo was amazing: our 4th tough weekend in a row and girls knuckled down with 4 decisive wins, a full day of study hall, a cool NWHL spectator experience and some tremendous ‘beats’ on the bus.     
Hat Tricks…Shutouts….etc.

Special recognition goes out to Julia Mclellan for winning her 20 and 21st games of the year, Jane Gervais for giving up just one goal last weekend, Anfred Naud and Laurence Frenette for scoring hat tricks of their own over the last two weekends. For Frenette, she earned her 60 and 61st points of the season in Buffalo. Marianne Picard continues her torrid pace upon her return from ACL surgery, generating 18 points over her 1st 12 games.

The Wisconsin commit, is joining Anfred Naud with Team Quebec at the Canada Games in late February, while Dominique Cormier is attending the Games with Team Atlantic as well. With her 32 and 33 points of the season, Hannah Johnson continues to lead a potent group of ‘offensmen’ that includes Emile Fortunato (32), Dominque Cormier (27), Elodie Roy (13), Emily Holmes (12) and Portia Eldaun (6).

Generating offense from the defense has been key to our success all season long. With Tam Thierus, Emily Eikleboom continuing to pitch in, offensively, it appears the Spartans will finish the season with as many as six 20 goal scorers. Tam Thierus is finishing her Spartan career in style, leading on and off the ice with consistency. Her intrinsic drive is second to none.
 
Coming Up
Varsity Girls taking on NAHA White, at home, on Wednesday, February 6th. Shortly after the break, Stanstead will host the NAHPHA Championship and be striving to win its 4th title in a row.

We are seriously hoping we can use our home ice to our advantage by getting as many students out as possible to watch.  

- Bernie Pimm
    Teacher-Coach Stanstead College
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