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The Polar Bear tournament is the first of two tourneys that the NWS will be playing over the holiday break, with the other being at Northwood in Lake Placid.
The Polar Bear is one of the largest and most well attended girls tournaments in the country. Last year the NWS went 2-2 in the tournament ... this year they are looking to up that record. The team showed well in Minnesota and hopes to build on that effort. The tournament format has 3 divisions with 5 teams per bracket. A win gets 2 points a tie 1 ... and a point is awarded for each period won.
The U19s took off for Connecticut on the 26th, landing in Albany New
York, then driving the rest of the way to Hartford on the 27th ... and then played their first game on that day. Below are the game highlights.
Opponent |
Polar Bear Recap |
| Minutemen Lady Flames |
The team was short benched, playing their first game on Thursday against a strong Minutemen Lady Flames team losing (0-4).
It took the NWS a period to settle into their lines and playing together again, which unfortunately cost them 3 goals. In the second, the NWS started to gel and played a strong period. Swegle was excellent in nets and held the Flames to a single goal, however despite multiple scoring opportunities; the NWS could not find the net.
In the 3rd period Hanson took on another player head-on in a rush for the puck and had to leave the game. The NWS came together on the bench and as a team played some of their best hockey of the year. They tied the period 0-0 and gaining 1/2 a point in the standings.
After 12 hours of planes, trains and automobiles, the NWS played a good game. Several coaches were on hand and noted the effort and good team chemistry. Both NWS Coaches, Parks and Russell, commented on the strong effort in the 3rd and that to be a true NWS player, you can not be a quitter!
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| NJ Quarry Cats |
The NWS picked up where they left off in Thursday night's game. The lines and team chemistry was set and the NWS took the game by storm (5-0).
The pre-game talk was about strong defense forcing mistakes ... and it paid off as the entire team played an enormously aggressive game. Likewise on offence, the entire team was involved on scoring by crashing the nets picking up rebound goals from their hustle.
Scoring for the NWS were Schaefer (2), Rickard (1), Smith (1) and Flint (1). Stewart posted the shut-out making several key saves and relying on her defense to clear any rebounds in the crease.
Their aggressive play earned them some extra time off the ice in the box, as the team posted 7 penalties ... killing all of them with good fore checking and trap systems.
This puts the NWS in 3rd in their bracket at this point and between brackets they are also ranked well. Winning the next two could put them in the cross-over finals. |
| Boston Lady Terriers |
This contest was close all the way with the NWS scoring in the first period off of a goal from their goalie, Swegle (skating out for the first time this year) ... assist from Smith & Schaefer ... then holding on for a (1-1) tie.
The NWS had multiple opportunities for the win, but could not put it away. Stewart played outstanding in nets, as noted by several coaches in attendance for her excellent play.
The team played an aggressive style of hockey, but it cost them 10 penalties. Coach Parks, (nicely) pointed out to the refs the lopsided penalty calling ... then they started calling an even game but not until the NWS had to kill two 3-5 situations.
Late in the 3rd, the NWS went out on a power play and had several opportunities to put the game away, but were held off by a strong Terrier net tender.
This brings the NWS to 1-1-1 overall. While a tie is not a bad end to the game, it most likely knocked the NWS out of contention for an opportunity to cross over in a game 5. |
| Henniker, NH |
Game 4 was played at the Newington rink, where there many of the college coaches watch the games. The NWS gave them plenty to watch as they battled for the entire game, playing smart and hard. Hansen made the only goal for the NWS off a slap shot on a penalty kill … however it was not enough to get the win as they gave up 2 and lost (1-2).
Overall the tournament went well for the NWS. They were in the hunt in several games and certainly played very well. Coach feedback was positive and the girls had a great experience. Their record was (1-1-2). The team that beat them by 1 goal, ended up winning the tournament, so with a bit more scoring, it could have gone the other way. |
Opponent |
Northwood Recap |
| Northwood |
Getting dressed in the 1980 Olympic Team’s locker room was a treat in itself, but then skating onto the Olympic ice was a complete thrill. Coaches Parks and Russell both commented that neither one of them had ever played there … both were ready to dress down and skate.
Game 1 was against the home team Northwood. The NWS dominated the first period. They played, “Great”, said Parks. Who went on to say of the team, “they were thinking, making plays and did everything we asked of them. It was one of their best games ever”. Swegle was in nets giving up only two, but the scoring was not there for the NWS so the final ended (0-2).
Being New Years, the team will be attending a U22 National Team game, then having a bit of their own celebration. Happy New Year NWS!!! |
| NCCP Midget AA |
Playing their 7th game of the week, their legs were about gone ... but the NWS played well anyway. The passing improved as did the heads-up play. But the NWS played over the level of aggressiveness that the referees were use to and it cost them a lot of penalties ... and ultimately the game. |
| NJ Selects |
Last game of the week. The game was back and forth with opportunities to take control for either team. The NWS played hard but were exhausted. Hanson posted the only goal for the NWS but it was not enough ... |
Week's Recap - In 7 Days ... 2 States ... 4 rinks ... the NWS played 8 of the best teams in the country ... and played extremely well. They visited sites in Hartford, Boston and Lake Placid along the way ... and even got to dress and play in the 1980 Olympic venue. The overall record of wins and losses do not express the experience that the team and players took from playing the best.
Special thanks to the parents and coaches for all their efforts helping out and taking care of all the logistics issues for the team ... Norma, Howard, LeeRoy, Teka & Chantelle ... THANK YOU!!!
Well done NWS!!! |
