It has been a busy two weeks for the Ecofish Whalers women’s hockey team. First off to Port McNeil where it was another great weekend as the Whalers participated for the third time in the Port McNeil Tourney. The Whalers won the tourney last year but were not able to repeat the success this year. The level of competition was much higher than previous years with many visiting teams from Victoria and Nanaimo.
The Whalers were always able to produce a very strong first period in each of the games they played, taking the lead early on but somehow always ran out of steam in the latter part of the games. With only a win and three losses, the Whalers placed 6th overall. But hey, you just can’t win them all! It is a bonding weekend after all. Team members were able to spend quality time with each other, racing, dancing, relaying, spinning, investigating and bonding. Tradition remained as the Whalers participated in this years team “Mexico fiesta” and were once again the hit of the soirée!
Once back home, they were ready to face the Comox Breakers for the second time this year. At the last meet, the score was in favor of the Breakers who outshot the Whalers taking the game by a score of 6-1. But it wasn’t to be a repeat for the Breakers this time around. The Whalers came out in the first period foaming at the mouth and ready to rise to the challenge.
According to Chanace Vanderheide sidelined with the flu “It was great to watch the game as I have never been a spectator. The forechecking really put the pressure on the opposition making them cough up the puck quite a few times. Our defenders Jen Novelli and Allison Abraham were outstanding at getting in front to block shots.The team played so well together it was fantastic to watch!” I guess the team bonding in Puerto McNeil paid off! Olé!
Katrin Bizier (InsuranCentres) who was still filling in for injured Jamie Banham had her best game of the season, blocking an array of shots and giving away very few rebounds while Lee McGorge stood up strong as she rolled with the punches. Jan Banham open the floodgates with a marvelous unstoppable backhand. Kelly Roloff was able to poke the second goal into the net. Being at the right place at the right time is no accident! Not more of an accident that Jen Novelli skated from end to end to beautifully put one past the Breakers goalie. Jody Fink and Jan Dafoe each tallied one to wrap the game at 5-2 in favor of the Whalers. YEE HA!
The Whalers were on the road the next day to meet up with the Port Alberni Panthers. With a very thin roster, the Whalers were able to keep up to the home team in the first period, with an even score of 2-2 but fatigue showed in the second period. The Alberni players showered newly returned goalie Jamie Banham with a multitude of shots. Banham showed a lot of courage and managed to keep the score down for the second period but the pressure and skills of the opposition was too much in the third period and the host took the game away with a score of 6-2. Chrissy Sine and Allison Abraham got the goals for the Whalers
Puck drop: The Whalers have improved their game tremendously with only three seasons under their belt. Many different players have contributed to the score sheet. Our veteran players have played selflessly and have proven repeatedly that “good players make others around them look good“!
The end of the season is just around the corner. The Whalers would like to express their appreciation to this year’s sponsors in Brian McLean, Whale’s Tale Toys, InsuraCentres, Canadian Western Bank and Ecofish research Ltd. Next for the Whalers on Friday March 12 vs Parksville Shadow Makers.
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