Posted: 1/4/06
Girls hockey claims 3rd place at the Schwan Cup
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Joe Drennan
Sports Editor
Looking at the Forest Lake High School girls hockey teamís schedule thus far in the season, the early part of the season looks a bit bleak, but some changes to lines and hard work has turned into a 5-1-1 record over the last seven games and a third place finish in the Schwan Cup over the holiday break.
The Rangers started the Schwan Cup with a 1-0 victory over Prior Lake last Tuesday. Seventh grader Audrey Hanmer scored the Rangers only goal, while sophomore goalie Cassi Carpenter stopped all 13 shots she faced.
ìCassi (Carpenter) had an outstanding game in net even though she only had maybe 14 shots,î Rangers head coach Paul Kendrick said. ìEach one of her saves you looked at it and said wow.î
The second game of the Schwan Cup had the Rangers playing Apple Valley.
A first period goal by sophomore Torri Shelafoe gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead that looked like it would hold up, but Apple Valley scored a third period goal to send the game into overtime.
ìIt was one of those games that was just too bad,î Kendrick said. ìWe scored a goal, but the referee was out of position and disallowed the goal.î
In the overtime the teams went into a shootout since they were playing in a tournament. It took seven shooters from each team to decide who would advance to the championship game and who would advance to the consolation game. Apple Valley won the shootout, but the game is considered a tie in both teams records.
ìFor us it was one of those games where we really executed our game,î Kendrick said. ìSome unfortunate things happened, but the girls played a strong game in every aspect and out hustled Apple Valley.î
The Rangers were featuring some new line pairings in the Apple Valley game as junior Alexa Nelson was centering Shelafoe and sophomore Kelsey Blum, while junior Paige Patchin was centering sophomore Kathy Crudo and senior Anna Johnson.
ìWe could have easily scored a bunch of goals (with the new lines) as we had some golden opportunities,î Kendrick said. ìI thought the new lines looked good seeing as though they havenít practiced together much.î
In the consolation game the Rangers faced Roseau. The Rangers came out fired up as they had a 3-1 lead at the end of the first period. A flat second period had the Rangers barely holding onto a 3-2 lead as Roseau had the momentum.
ìWe knew they (Roseau) were going to come out hard in the third period, so we told the girls during the intermission that we needed to step up,î Kendrick said. ìThe girls really played the kind of third period they are capable of playing.î
In the third period the Rangers erupted for three goals and easily won the game 6-2, giving the Rangers third place in the tournament.
The Rangers next game is Saturday at Cretin-Derham Hall at 7:30 p.m.
JV team takes 1st
The varsity team isnít the only team having success as of late. The Rangers junior varsity team who went winless to start the season is enjoying a six game winning streak.
The last three games of the JV teamís winning streak were in the Schwan Cup, resulting in a first place finish.
ìThe JV team has really come together,î Kendrick said. ìThe coaches have done a nice job of putting together a balanced lineup and the girls are playing competitive hockey.î
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