The 2012 U12 squirt Blue Jackets girls have played their final game. They lost their second game in the Columbus Cup, the annual season-ending house hockey tournament. The tournament is double elimination.
Handing the girls their second loss in consecutive games were the Easton Blackhawks, who prevailed 2-0 behind stellar skating and a goalie who stood on his head.
"The girls certainly had their chances," said coach Leslie after the game. "We're disappointed, but it was a great year of hockey. I'm proud of each of them for skating hard every practice and through each and every shift," she added.
The Blackhawks skated hard and were tenacious on the back check. It appeared as though the Lady Jackets might walk away with this one after the first two minutes of play. The girls dominated the opening action and just missed opening the scoring with many scoring chances. The girls were overwhelming the Blackhawks, but they didn't break.
Mailory manned the pipes for the Jackets and was super. She made several key saves and kept her team within striking distance for a come from behind win.
"I guess you've got to score to win," her dad said after the game. How true!
Kay played super and had many chances. Logan planted herself in front of the Hawk goalie and just missed potting a goal many times tonight. Hands down, she played her best game of the year. The blueline was awesome, keeping most of the Hawks scoring chances pushed to the wall, rather than down the middle. #61 for the Hawks was especially skilled and determined to score, but the girls turned him away all night.
Sam and Taylor continued to skate brilliantly through traffic. Rey played super. She had many great positional battles and made some passes that just missed scorers sticks. Kaitlin, Whitney, Joanna and Jenna played defense most of the night and should be very proud of their play. They established puck control and didn't panic with the puck. The Blackhawks were going to have to earn this win and they did just that.
Emma Clark kept the puck in the offensive zone at least four times this game, allowing Maddy to corral the puck and drive the net. There were at least four times the puck was loose in the Hawk crease but the girls couldn't punch it home. Maddy was physical and skated hard. So did Reagan, who probably played her most complete game -- chipping the puck out of the zone when needed and running the wall with precision!
It was a frustrating loss, but the girls shouldn't hang their heads. They played great and could have won the game.
"Sometimes you just tip your hat," said a random parent after the game.
Good luck Blackhawks.
Click HERE for photos.
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