Calgary & Brampton Drop Puck on CWHL's 10th Season
Calgary, Alta - The Canadian Women's Hockey League's 10th season is officially underway following this past weekends action. The Calgary Inferno hosted a two game series against the Brampton Thunder in a rematch of last years CWHL Clarkson Cup semi-final.
“The start of the new season is always an exciting time but in 2016-17 it holds even more meaning for the CWHL,” CWHL Commissioner Brenda Andress said. “The 10th season milestone is an incredible achievement for any sporting league and one we look forward to celebrating with all those who helped pave the way for the growth of the women’s game in the past decade.“
The Calgary Inferno opening the season with a special banner raising ceremony in celebration of the team’s 2016 Clarkson Cup Championship. Returning Inferno players and retiring members of the Inferno championship team took to the ice to watch the banner raise prior to the game against the Brampton Thunder.
Calgary began the scoring with a goal by Rebecca Johnston just three minutes into the contest to sent the home crowd into a roar giving the Inferno an early 1-0 lead. It was short lived as Brampton's Sarah Edney responded with a goal of her own three minutes later. Midway through the first period, Calgary took a series of three penalties in three minutes. The Thunder capitalized on the advantage, Shannon MacAulay sneaked one past Emerance Maschmeyer with just over five minutes remaining to give Brampton a 2-1 lead.
The second period saw both teams exchange opportunities, Calgary had three power play chances but could not convert on any of the three. Brampton continued to put the pressure on Maschmeyer but the rookie was up to the challenge. On the opposite end Erica Howe also shutdown a strong Inferno offense that put 35 shots on net throughout the game.
The third period began similar to the second, back and forth play that saw both goaltenders keep the net empty. Calgary in need of a game tying goal started to pressure more and with under five minutes to go it payed off. Jill Saulnier got a nice feed from Brigette Lacquette to get one past Howe and tie the game at 2. The Inferno's Blayre Turnbull was given a penalty with under two minutes but Brampton could not convert on the power play, including 30 seconds of overtime.
Both teams could not score in overtime, forcing a shootout following the overtime period.
SHOOTOUT RESULTS
Nicole Brown (BRA) - NO GOAL
Haley Irwin (CAL) - NO GOAL
Jamie Lee Rattray (BRA) - NO GOAL
Brianne Jenner (CAL) - GOAL
Laure Fortino (BRA) - NO GOAL
Blayre Turnbull (CAL) - GOAL
Calgary completed the comeback and won the game 3-2.
CALGARY EARNS SWEEP WITH 3-2 WIN OVER BRAMPTON THUNDER IN GAME 2
(Dave Holland/Calgary Inferno)
Game two began with a ceremonial puck drop following a partnership announcement between the Calgary Inferno and Girls Hockey Calgary (GHC) to create the junior Inferno program. Over the next three years, GHC will re-brand to the Inferno's emblem and uniforms and teams will also be paired with a Inferno ambassador who will mentor the young players.
The action picked up right where game two left off, back and forth play with both goaltenders playing well. Genevieve Lacasse got the start for the Inferno, her first since joining the team from the Boston Blades this offseason. Lacasse was great in net for Calgary stopping every shot Brampton put on in the first. Jill Saulnier broke the 0-0 tie, scoring her second of the season on a 10 minute misconduct penalty to Jenna McParland with under five minutes in the first.
The second period saw the penalties go down and action pick up for the Inferno. Brampton struggled to put shots on net and much credit to the Inferno players for crowding the shooting lanes and blocking pucks from getting to Lacasse. Calgary doubled their lead when Rebecca Johnston linked up with Brianne Jenner to convert 7:27 into the 2nd period.
Brampton would respond in the third period with a goal by Laura Stacey to bring the deficit to one. However the Thunder could not stay out of the penalty box in this match up. Brampton was assessed seven penalties, including two misconducts throughout the game. Haley Irwin converted on the power play midway through the third to give Calgary a 3-1 lead. A few minutes later, on the power play, Jenna McParland received a nice feed from Jess Jones and sent one past Lacasse to bring Brampton within one.
Brampton pulled the Howe with only just seconds remaining in the game, though couldn’t find the back of the goal to even the game.
Calgary wins 3-2 and sweeps Brampton on the weekend.