Photos are now posted from the Dec 6-8/13 Showcase in Ste Anne. Click on the photos tab to see them. The weekend write up to follow shortly...
Sunday, Nov 10th saw the Hawks take on the always dangerous Central Plains Capitals at the PCU Centre, in Portage la Prairie. The girls were met with a real determined effort by the Capitals, who seemed bent on exacting revenge for a 2-0 loss to the Hawks earlier in the year. The Capitals came out physical and hungry for the puck, and although the shots on goal differential was not in Central Plains' favour, they kept pressing. The Hawks, although flat for most of the first and second period, led the game in quality scoring chances and had some decent pressure on the Capitals' goaltender, who stood tall, turning away every shot she faced. In the second period, the Capitals managed to win the scrambled draw to the right of Hawks netminder Corinne Schroeder, who, partially screened, had a shot slip under her stick and through her pads, into the back of the net. In typical Corinne fashion though, she rebounded and shut the door for the rest of the game. Down 1-0 going into the final frame, the coaches must've really inspired the troops, as the Hawks started playing a much more traditional Hawk's game, skating harder and passing the puck with more authority. About midway through the third, Brooklyn Platt knotted the game at one, and that goal reallly seemed to spark the girls. The next five to seven minutes saw a flurry of activity in the Capital's zone, putting the host team back on their heels. With the game starting to wind down and a potential 1-1 tie looming on the horizon, the Hawks seemed more determined than ever, and were finally rewarded with a goal mouth scramble when Toni Conrad pounced on a loose puck to put the Hawks up 2-1. Despite a valiant effort in the latter part of the game, in which Corinne was determined to keep the Hawks on top, Central Plains was denied any sort of comeback. I'm sure this could be charactarized as a gut-check or character win, where the girls found the will and the way to what was looking like an improbable win. Some of the early season chemistry was seemingly absent for a better part of the game, but when the chips were down, Coaches Al and Dana stayed true to form, rolling out the lines, and letting the girls dictate the outcome of the game. Great coaching and a true team effort leaves the Hawks with a record of 5 -1.
On October 26th the Hawks were in Wawanesa to take on the host Westman Wildcats. Both teams posted identical 3 and 1 records at the first showcase in Winnipeg. The Hawks came out strong and had the Wildcats on their heels in the first period. It took good puck movement from Alyssa Alderson to Sage McElroy-Scott to Mackenzie Heide who placed a nice shot on net through the well placed screen of Janelle Delaquis. This opened the scoring with 6:27 left in the first. The Wildcats came out with more energy in the second and it caught the Hawks off guard. Stong goaltending from Corinne Schroeder and a great 5 on 3 penalty kill kept the Wildcats off the board. The score after 2 periods remained 1-0 in favor of the Hawks. The third was a different story as the Hawks came out flying, determined to extend their lead. Foiled by 2 posts in the first 2 minutes, the girls did not let up on their offensive pressure and continued their aggressive play. It finally payed off with 9:08 to go as Brooklyn Platt hammered home the puck in a goal mouth scramble with assists going to Brooklyn Major and Courtney Allison. The Wildcats applied more pressure late in the period, but backed by a 14 save shutout by Corinne, the Hawks held on. Sage sealed the win with an empty net goal with just 14 seconds left. The Hawks next game will be November 10th in Portage at 2:45 at the PCU center verses the Central Plains Capitals.
****Photos have now been posted from the MTS Showcase this past weekend, introducing each player. Click on the Photos Tab to preview them.****
Starting back on Oct 5, 2012, the Pembina Valley Hawks have played a total of 25 games. Their record over the course of those 25 games - 23 wins, 1 loss, 1 tie. Putting an impressive undefeated streak on the line, the girls faced the Fort Garry Twins in the exciting finale of the MTS Showcase at the MTS Iceplex. The battle of this showcase's two undefeated teams came down to one lonely and decisive goal, courtesy of the Twins. After a fairly uneventful start to the game, where both teams were getting a feel for the competition, the Hawks started winning the battles to the puck and started applying an even pressure on their opponents. There were several opportunities for the Hawks to get on the board early, but that first goal for them proved elusive. It took until the six minute mark of the second period for the first goal to be registered, but it came at the hands of Fort Garry, breaking the deadlock. WIth a mad scramble in from the Hawks net, and goaltender Corinne Schroeder covering the puck with her pad, Corinne appeared to be pushed into the net, with the referee signalling a goal. Despite numerous opportunities, as well as a breakaway from the always dangerous Alyssa Alderson, the Hawks just were not able to find that equalizing marker. With a flurry of activity in the Twins defensive zone througout the rest of the game, Pembina Valley just could not manage to bury the puck in the back of Fort Garry's net. Corinne was able to turn away the remainder of the Twins' attempts, making some key saves late in game. All good things must eventually come to an end, and today that impressive undefeated streak ground to a halt. 366 days exactly from the start of the streak to the end, a staggering 23 wins and one tie. Congrats to Dana and Al for such an impressive accomplishment! Now the girls will have the opportunity to learn from this game, and be motivated to start another winning trend.
Day two of the MTS Showcase proved to be much the same as day one, with a dominant performance from the PV Hawks. The girls proved to be too much against the Assiniboine Park Rangers today, carrying the play from the drop of the puck. Shots ended up 32-6 in favour of Pembina Valley. Much like the first two games of the tournament, scoring came from a variety of players, with both forwards and defense getting in on the action. Sunday's final match-up will pit the two undefeated teams who will battle it out for top spot. Stay tuned for more updates...
The girls celebrate their first win in their first game of the season
The 2013/2014 version of the Pembina Valley Female Bantam Hawks is now underway, and judging by the success that the girls achieved today, there is every reason for the optimism of our region's female hockey to continue.
Game 1 featured a hard working, determined effort from the squad. The girls came out aggressive and played a hard forechecking game that had the Eastman Selects on the ropes early. Although there were several opportunities to put the game away early, with long and sustained pressure in the opponents zone, the puck was just not finding the back of the net. With the score knotted at 0 after one period of play, Eastman got a lucky break in the second period, when one of their forwards turned a blocked shot in a breakaway. Goalie Corinne Schroeder made the inital stop, but after a bad hop and a deflection off of a Hawk's stick, the puck managed to cross the goal line, allowing Eastman the early lead. That lead would not last long, however, when a shot fired by forward Toni Conrad, deflected off of an Eastman player and found the back of the net. From there the floodgates opened and by the time the period ended, the Hawks were in complete control, dominating every aspect of the game. The score after two was 3-1, with the momentum clearly in the Hawks favour. The third period saw the same intensity from the girls and with wave after wave of pressure, the goals kept coming. The final score in the game was 7-1, with goals coming from Toni, Janelle, Avery, Hannah, Sage (2) and Brooklyn Major. Although she wasn't peppered with shots, Corinne stood tall, keeping her composure and focus throughout the game.
Game 2 of the MTS Showcase saw a more spirited and physical opponent in Central Plains. The girls started with the same intensity and agressive forechecking that saw them reap rewards in game one. Captain Katie Heppner opened the scoring in the first, which held up to be the winning goal, with assists from Brooklyn Platt and Courtney Allison. The second goal, also in the first, was scored by a determined Hannah Petrie, with assists from Avery Bridges and Stephanie Sanders. Corinne saw more pressure in this game and was equal to the task. She turned away every shot she faced and kept the Capitals off the score sheet, and notching her first shutout of the season, and in the process, lowering her GAA to 0.50.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 4TH SHOWCASE SCHEDULE
GAME#1 PEMBINA VALLEY HAWKS VS EASTMAN 9:40AM JONATHAN TOEWS CC
GAME#2 PEMBINA VALLEY HAWKS VS CENTRAL PLAINS 3:00PM JONATHAN TOEWS CC
SATURDAY OCTOBER 5TH SHOWCASE SCHEDULE
GAME#3 PEMBINA VALLEY HAWKS VS. APHA RANGERS 4:00PM KEITH BODLEY ARENA
SUNDAY OCTOBER 6TH SHOWCASE SCHEDULE
TBA
Congrats!! to the following girls on making the final roster for AAA Female Bantam Hawks
Forward:
Jamelle Delaquis
Brooklyn Major
Brooklyn Platt
Stephanie Sanders
Alyssa Alderson
Toni Conrad
Sage McEleoy-Scott
Hannah Petrie
Avery Bridges
Defense:
Emma Scharf
Mackenzie Heide
Mychaela Lehmann
Katelyn Heppner
Brook Roeges
Courtney Allison
Goalies:
Corinne Schroeder
Players are to be at the Morden arena and ready for individual pictures by 6:00. Dryland to follow . Monday September 30th
A big thank-you to all girls who participated in the main tryout in Winkler on the weekend. Good luck with the rest of your seasons.
