The
Crabby Joe Atom C Girls travelled up to Wiarton on Wednesday 15th
January to play a makeup game against the Bruce Peninsula Predators Atom C’s
and skated to a 6 – 0 win behind the solid goaltending of Ashley Shields and the
four-goal output from the high-powered Skyler Pomroy.
Ashley preserved her shutout with an quick split toe save in the dying seconds. Francesca Alpajaro and Maddy Linklater contributed one goal each with Caelan Macdonald, Olivia Hall, Emma Nason, Madeleine Leger, and Skyler and Maddy credited with one assist each. Defenceman Madeleine Leger had a stand-out game offensively and defencively and earned the game’s Digger Award. These two teams have a very friendly relationship dating back 3 seasons when Bruce Peninsula formed their Association’s first ever Novice Girls team and their inaugural coach was Saugeen’s Chris Hall. In addition, current Saugeen players Olivia Hall, Kennedy Stauffer, and Caelan Macdonald were members of this historical team. And to add even more excitement to this game, three Bruce Peninsula players from that initial team are now playing on the Saugeen Novice team and were AP’d to play against their former teammates: Maddy Linklater, Sydney McArthur, and Chesney Miller. Two separate Associations but lasting friendships. One has to love Girls Hockey. Another makeup game was played two days later on Friday in Tara against the Arran-Elderslie Ice-Dogs. Unfortunately for the Ice-Dogs , Crabby Joe’s were primed and produced 11 goals and reluctantly only gave up one on a nice breakaway goal by Emily Meuser. This may have been one of the team’s best complete games of the season. Ashley was stellar when called upon, and even earned an assist on the same play after making a remarkable save. The forechecking and winning of the battles of all the forwards led by Natalie Brown, (two assists) and the defence of Emily Russett (three assists), and power-forward Skyler Pomroy (six goals 1 assist) made for a dominate game. Olivia Hall (2 goals), Lily VanGeel (1 goal, 1 assist), Caelan Macdonald (1 goal, 1 assist), Maddy Leger (1 assist), and AP Olivea Pope (1 goal) made for a pleasant ride home. The weekend called for two regular scheduled games. Crabby drove to Tiverton to meet up with the Kincardine Atom Girls. This game mirrored their two previous games in that Saugeen won the battles which resulted in a strong 5 – 1 win. Ashley lost her bid for her shutout on a breakaway goal with under 30 seconds to go in the game. Skyler scored a hat-trick on three different type goals; deke, goalmouth scramble, and her patented wrist shot. Olivia Hall and Caelan Macdonald each had a goal and two assists and Francesca Alpajaro and Kennedy Stauffer chipped in with an assist each. Defence Lily VanGeel, Emily Russett, Maddy Leger, and Lauren Macdonald all played big against a bigger team and versatile Natalie Brown was on the puck in every zone. The concern of fatigue being a factor for the girls in their next game the following day proved unwarranted. Playing an inter-divisional opponent from TCDMHA for the first time dispelled any thoughts of being tired. Crabby’s are scheduled to play this same team next month in the International Silver Stick so they wanted to set the tone. None moreso than Skyler Pomroy who was moved back on Defence for this game. Results were four goals, two being unassisted short-handed. And it seemed the puck was glued to Caelan Macdonald’s stick as she weaved in and around all the players on the ice at will. The Crabby players continued winning the battles and Ashley was focused, making the timely save to keep the momentum on the Home side for the complete game. Sky with her hattrick, Olivia Hall jamming in a goal with help from Kennedy Stauffer and Francesca Alpajaro and Kennedy, Olivia, and Emma Nason with additional helpers. Why rest. Practice Monday 5pm, Southampton.