Great week for Whalers
In preparation for the year end tournament in Campbell River this weekend, the Echo Fish Courtenay Whalers women’s hockey team 
have been plenty busy. Last week alone, the Whalers played three games against local and out of town rivalries. It all started on Tuesday night when the team played the Comox Breakers on their final match up of the season. Sky Zimmerman (Brian McLean) came on strong within seconds of the puck drop, putting one passed the Breakers goalie low and wide. Midway through the first period, the Breakers tied it up with an unstoppable rocket shot from the point. The second period started the same way as the first with a quick goal from Jan Dafoe (Canadian Western Bank). Dafoe received a beautiful pass from Zimmerman and calmly wristed the puck over the goalie who had already gone down for the low shot. The Breakers responded in the 5th minute with one of their players skating around all five Whalers and finally putting one pass goalie Jaime Banham . Zimmerman still out on a mission didn’t slow down and was able to set up fellow lines mate Lee McGeorge (Whales Tale Toys) to end the period with a 3-2 lead. The third period saw a flurry of action on both ends but the Whalers were able to capitalized one more when Kelly Roloff snucked one by the Breakers goalie on a rebound from Chanace Vanderheide well known slap shot! Final score 4-2 for the Whalers. The Whalers win the season series with two wins and a loss.
On Thursday, The Whalers faced Parksville in a very friendly yet competitive game. Shirlee Carver took to the net for the second time and impressed the crowd with a number of athletic saves. The Whalers were able to take the lead early on in the 4th minute of the game with a goal from Zimmerman assisted by Dafoe. Parksville reciprocated in the 13th minute. It took only a few seconds for Rookie Lindsay Newfeld to give the lead back to the Whalers with a career first goal. Parskville would not end the first period without a fight. They scored with 2 minutes left to equalize at 2-2. Parksville took the lead in the second period putting one goal pass Carver while the Whalers tied it up in the third with a goal from Tera Kazubuchi (InsuranCenters) assisted my Newfeld. Final score 3-3.
Finally, the Whalers took one of their toughest rivals from Nanaimo. A much faster game to wrap up the week. The opposition managed to score their first in the 8th minute. The Whalers had many chances but were not able to ring the buzzer. The second period saw the same for the local team, with many opportunities but no celebrations. Whalers goalie Katrin Bizier put up a fight and didn’t give much in terms of rebounds. Nanaimo double their lead with a goal in the last 20 second of the second period. Emily Murray was the only Whalers to be able to rock the opposition’s net in the third period with a fancy skate around from one end of the ice to the other. Final score 3-1 for Nanaimo.
On the ice: The Whalers are participating in their final tournament of the season this weekend in Campbell River. They have entered the veteran’s category which is the highest level and should have a good run for their money! The Whalers would like to thank all their sponsors for their support.
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