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NWS Minnesota Tournament - [Fun Pictures]
The U19 team is packing their bags for a Thanksgiving Day flight to Minneapolis where they will meet some of the best teams in the Country over the coming weekend. The team's showing in Burnaby was excellent, so coaches anticipate some very close games. In preparation for the trip, each of the U19s wrote a resume which was included in the 'play-packets' that are made available to the college coaches who will be in attendance. The NWS also contact the 19 college in the area via email that we are coming and provided them a list of players names, numbers and year in school. Response has been good.
Day 1 - Game 1 - Team Alaska - [Game Pictures]
After a long flight ... Thanksgiving dinner at one of the few local restaurants that was open ... a trip to the mall and to the University of Minnesota ... the U19s finally took the ice last night against Team Alaska.
The last time the 2 had met was in the District Tournament in 2003 in Anaheim, and the U19s were anxious to test their level of skill once again. The teams played evenly with shots on goal slightly in favor of Team Alaska, but Alex (playing in her home State of Minnesota) came up big keeping the contest at check.
"We were evenly matched", said Coach Willins, "but it felt like we were still playing with our traveling legs, as we just could not generate enough scoring chances." The contest ended (0-3) for the Selects, but they came away knowing that they can skate with the best in the country.
Coach Tom Peart from Augsburg College was at hand to introduce the coaches and girls to other coaches in the area.
Day 2 - Game 2 - T.B. Queens - [Game Pictures]
Still not finding the net, the NWS U19s lost (0-5) against a strong Canadian team. The Selects picked up the pace in the game over game 1 and were reacting better to the fast game pace but still could not find a way to score.
Net-tender Alyssa, put in a solid performance on the day.
Day 2 - Game 3 - St Adolphe - [Game Pictures]
The NW Selects came out strong on Saturday night and were ready for a win. They posted two goals in the first two periods and led by a score of (2-0) going into the third. But they could not hold the lead giving up a goal early in the third, then a short handed goal, and then with one minute left in the contest they gave up a third, losing (2-3).
After the round robin play, the NWS are (0-3), but each of the games was close and could have shifted either way if played again. The scoring system of the tournament also scored the NWS team ahead of the Cal Select team for the round-robin portion of play based on periods won and goal differentials!
Day 3 - Game 4 – Mystyks - [Game Pictures]
Sunday’s game seemed to be a repeat of the other three with the NWS not being able to capitalize on scoring chances but playing neck and neck with their opponent. The NW Selects dropped the game (0-3).
From a pure win-loss stand point, the weekend was tough with the NWS going (0-4), but considering that they are playing against the best teams in the Midwest, the team did outstanding. Multiple college coaches were on-hand to view the girls and feedback is very positive from many of them.
Well done girls!
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