Penticton’s female Ice Dragon teams return to the ice for playoff action.
The midget rep Ice Dragons (3-10-3) faces off for a second time against Kamloops (13-1-2) after losing 4-2 in Kamloops last weekend. Coach Shawn Carter said his team competed hard to erase a 3-0 lead.
“We had great goaltending and after the mid point of the second period, really started to generate some quality scoring chances,” he said. “Certainly to beat Kamloops we have to have a much better start and compete for a full 60 minutes. We do that and finish on our scoring chances, we will be successful.”
Game 2 of this series is set for McLaren Arena Saturday at 6:45 p.m. Should Penticton win, the deciding game returns to Kamloops on Feb. 15 at the Valleyview Arena.
Midget Ice Dragons burn Clearwater
With just 10 skaters, the midget rec Ice Dragons had a great series against Clearwater, who started strong with a 2-0 lead after the first period. The Ice Dragons were able come back and win 5-4 with a late tally.
“It was an exciting game and the girls showed they have heart and determination,” said coach Shawn Black.
Providing offence for the Ice Dragons were Emily Trupp and Lyndell Campbell with two, Stephanie Lagrange and Cassidy Lindsay netted the winner. The Ice Dragons took the second game, 5-0, with 13 skaters compared to Clearwater’s 10. Black said his team was able to play a fast game with quick line changes which tired out Clearwater. Campbell led the charge with two goals, Sage Collins, Stephanie Lagrange and Sienna Gabriel added singles.
“Our team is playing with confidence after last weekend,” said Black. “We were missing some key players in the series against Clearwater, including our team captain. We showed that we can win games even when we are short players, and that everyone contributes to the team’s success. I think the confidence we gained in our series against Clearwater will help us in the finals against Kelowna.”
The Ice Dragons (11-1-0) head into that series having had good match ups with Kelowna (6-4-2) during the season. Black added Kelowna has players with offensive touch. He expects them to come out strong and try to put his team on their heels.
“We have solid goaltending and strong defence,” he added. “We have been in that situation before and I know our girls can handle the pressure.”
Bantam Ice Dragons face powerhouse Lillooet
The Ice Dragons (5-5-2) defeated Kelowna (6-4-2) for the right to face Lillooet (10-1-1) in the second round.
After losing the first game 5-4 in overtime, a match in which coach Bill Lund was impressed with his team, since they trailed 3-0, they bounced back to win the next game 4-1. In the losing effort, Caprice Buchan scored twice, while Hannah Lund and Adrienne Beresford also scored. In the 4-1 win, Hannah Lund scored a pair with singles going to Julia Devito and Faith Fraser.
“With our backs against the wall, we played one of our best games of the year,” said Lund.
The decisive game proved to be a nail biter. The Ice Dragons had a 2-0 lead with four minutes remaining when Kelowna pulled within a goal. Kelowna then pulled their goalie, but the Ice Dragons scored. They did it a second time and it paid off, however, there was only 18 seconds remaining.
Devito, Shannon Robinson and Buchan scored. Rowan Knowles had a huge game in net to secure the victory.
Lund said Lilloet will be a challenge. They defeated the Ice Dragons in all four games, however, Lund felt his team deserved a better fate and could have won three.
“We lost to them 4-0 , 5-3 , 3-2 , 3-2. If we play our game we can pull off the upset,” he said. “I have all the confidence in the world with this group of girls.”
