Dino women host Nationals

By Kris Kotarski

University of Calgary Dinos vs. University of Toronto Varsity Blues
The Dinos were clearly overpowered by the top-ranked U of T squad. Kim Malcher scored for the Blues just over seven minutes into the opening period and the game was well on its way to a blowout. The Dinos played tough, but four goals in the last three minutes of the first made it impossible to get any momentum going against the juggernauts from out East. The Dinos let in 12 goals before Suzanne Hanchar got a consolation marker late in the third period. The young Calgary squad did their best, and after a 12-1 defeat things could only get better.


University of Calgary Dinos vs. The McGill University Martlets
After the U of T thrashing, Calgary had a much better day against the team from McGill. They finished the first period down 1-0 after a powerplay goal shot from Paula Mailloux got by Dinos’ netminder Tonya Young. Calgary failed to get on the board in the second and fell behind further as the Martlets slipped three more past Young. The game ended 6-0 for McGill but the Dinos had a good showing against the very strong squad from Montreal. Mailloux and Sophie Acheson both had hat-tricks and All Star goaltender Kim St. Pierre made 16 saves for the shutout.

University of Calgary Dinos vs. St. Francis Xavier X-Women
Calgary came into the fifth-place match looking for redemption. After being beaten twice in rather convincing fashion, the Dinos were poised to make something of their tournament. They came out shooting early and Suzanne Hanchar put two goals past Amy Handrahan before the end of the first. Jodie Sorensen added another marker for the Dinos halfway through the second before the X-Women managed to put a shot past Tonya Young.

In the third, the Dinos put the game away on another Hanchar goal–her third of the night and fourth in the tournament. Stacey Sorensen added the final goal of the contest and the Dinos sailed to an easy 5-1 victory, their first since beating the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds early in the regular season.


Bronze Medal Game
Concordia University Stingers vs. McGill University Martlets
In a classic match-up the two teams from Montreal battled to a 0-0 draw in regulation time. Ten minutes of overtime solved nothing and the teams prepared for the shootout. Both goaltenders were outstanding during the game and got ready to test their skills against the opposing team’s best shooters. The stellar goalkeeping continued even after overtime ended; McGill captain Dana Rittmaster was the only player who managed to score a goal. Kim St. Pierre was amazing as she stopped all 43 shots she faced. Lisa Herritt stopped 23 shots, but her one mistake in the shootout will no doubt haunt her and her teammates.

Gold Medal Game
University of Regina Cougars vs. University of Toronto Varsity Blues
After all the pretenders took a seat in the stands, the Cougars and the Blues put on a show for a national audience. Toronto came out of the gate early and took a 3-0 lead on goals by Jenny McRae, Jen Rawson and Nancy McLean. Midway through the second, things looked bleak for Regina until a five-on-three powerplay gave them a chance to get back into the game. Joel Fiddler scored a powerplay goal and the comeback was on. Julie Foster scored five minutes later to put the Cougars within one. The third period began with furious attacks by the Cougars. Their effort was rewarded at 1:18 when Erin Balfour put one past Blues goalie Alison Houston. All of a sudden, the contest was tied. It took Toronto’s Urszula May to finally put the game away. She scored for the Blues and Regina never caught up. Canada West Player of the Year Brandy West was held to only one assist, and Toronto won the game 4-3, winning their first ever National Championship.

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