Or more appropriately, hit the ice skating?! With a three week warm up under their belt, Friday night saw the Courtenay Whalers playing their season opener against the Nanaimo Black Ice. The Whaler’s dressing room was noticeably quiet before the game. Maybe it was focus, maybe it was nerves, maybe nobody had anything interesting to say…but behind the absolute silence there was an unquestionable energy and excitement to get back on the ice and compete.
After a motivational pep talk about how if the Whalers lose it would be because they were not trying hard enough, the team knew they had to dominate play at all costs or else suffer the wrath of their captain Kasubuchi. The Whalers got off to a quick start against the evenly matched Nanaimo team. The first period play was dominated mainly by the Whalers but both teams had their chances. Despite hard fought battles for both teams, the period remained scoreless.
Going into the second period the Whalers realized that while playing as a team and completing passes looks good, shooting is the only way to score goals. The Black Ice would also have to revise their strategy due to Whaler’s goalie Jamie Banham playing confidently and strong between the pipes.
The Whalers kept up their energy and worked hard to gain the lead early in the second period with captain Kasubuchi finding the back of the Nanaimo net with assists by line mates Josee Bureau and Kelly Roloff. It would seem the Whalers found their stride, and more importantly started to shoot! Banham remained composed throughout the second steering away all attempts by the Black Ice to tie up the game.
In the third period Nanaimo came on strong, but luckily for the Whaler’s Banham was on her game. With her taekwondo reflexes Banham was able to secure the shut out and the Whaler’s power line guaranteed the win by scoring two more goals. Roloff buried the puck top corner assisted by Bureau and defenseman Sky Niskasari; Kasubuchi finished off the scoring by tucking one under the Nanaimo goalie unassisted. Overall, it was a great effort by both teams. The Whaler’s did their captain proud by displaying their unyielding work ethic and securing a solid
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