Courtenay Whalers Women's Hockey

The Courtenay Whalers played a home game Saturday march 3rd vs. the Comox Valley Breakers. Matches between these two teams are always very intense with neither team wanting to lose. The Breakers were 4-0 vs. the Whalers this season. A stat the Whalers would like to change. The Whalers came out flying with lots of energy from all of their lines and the Breakers were, as always, able to match the intensity. The game remained scoreless with both teams having plenty of chances until the 9 minute mark of the first period when from behind the net Tera Kasubuchi passed in front to an open Josee Bureau who was able to slip one by the Breaker’s goaltender. The goal seemed to energize the Whalers as only a few minutes later Bureau returned the favor with a beautiful pass to Kasubuchi who was able to hammer it into the net. The Whalers were not done yet when a shift later the line of Kasubuchi and Bureau were back at it. This time Kasubuchi found a wide open Jamie Banham beside the net who one timed it past the goalie. With the game now being 3-0 the Breakers started to push back but Whaler’s goaltender, Nancy Sheilds, was up to the task and kept the Whaler’s lead intact. With a minute to go in the first period the Whalers added to their lead with a great shot from the point from Allison Abraham assisted by Lee McGeorge . The Breakers came out strong and kept the Whalers in their own zone for the first couple shifts of the second period. The Whalers managed the storm with great goaltending from Shields and with the defense forcing the Breaker’s shooters to the outside. With about 10 min to go in the period, the Whalers made it a little tougher for Breakers by adding another goal by Jan Dafoe assisted by Kelly Rolof and Lindsay Neufeld making it 5-0. The Breakers never gave up and kept pushing until they finally got on the score board with a great pass from Jess Sekulich to a wide open Melissa Peacock standing by the side of the net for an easy tap in. Shortly after the Breaker’s goal, the Whalers restored their 5 goal lead with Jain Banham scoring on a breakaway shot that flew over the goaltender’s shoulder making it 6-1. The third period got a little physical with the Breakers trying hard to close the gap. The Whalers answered by taking 3 penalties in a row but, because of strong defensive play, were able to kill all three. The Whalers did manage to score one more with a minute to go in the third when Kasubuchi capitalized on a breakaway to make the final score 7-1. That game was the best game the Whalers have played all year with strong team defense, all forward lines contributing and stellar goaltending.
The Whalers would like to thank their sponsor’s: Ecofish Research Ltd., Brian McLean, Canadian Western Bank, Flip Flop Shops, Avril Homes Ltd.