The Muskie girls’ hockey team hasn’t had much success against the Broncos from Kenora so far this season but they fared much better against the Broncos from International Falls here Friday night.
The black-and-gold blanked the Falls squad 3-0 for their first win of the season but then fell 1-0 in overtime Saturday up in Kenora–their second loss (and second shutout) to Beaver Brae in as many games.
The Muskies appeared to have scored the winning goal against Kenora but it was called off because one of the officials ruled the puck was tipped in by a player’s glove.
“They called it off,” noted Carling Barton. “One ref called it a goal and the other said it was hit in with someone’s hand so it was [disallowed].”
Because the goal was called back, that left the score tied 0-0 at the end of regulation time, sending the game into a five-minute overtime period.
And the Broncos netted the game-winner just 13 seconds into the extra frame.
Still, Barton enthused the team played better this past weekend then they did the first time they stepped out onto the ice.
“We were more together this game, and with every game we become more together,” she remarked.
Barton also said she thought the Broncos were under the impression it would be an easy win. “We did give them a good fight,” she stressed.
“Saturday was a very high tempo, fast paced game,” noted co-coach Jim McMahon. “We should have won but our goal was disallowed — the outcome didn’t speak for the game. [For most of the game] we played in their end and put a lot of pressure on their goalie.”
He remarked that Kenora could hardly believe it was the same team they had played two weeks earlier.
In the game here against the Falls Broncos, the black-and-gold came out looking much calmer and relaxed compared to their home-opener the previous Friday against Kenora (a 2-0 loss).
“They were pumped and a lot more comfortable. They were nowhere near as nervous as the first game,” remarked co-coach Mark Lafleur.
Lafleur noted when the coaches walked into the locker room before the game, the players were laughing as opposed to the week before when he said you could literally feel the tension in the room.
The Muskies scored a goal in each period against the Falls Broncos while Kim Fowler earned her first shutout of the season between the pipes.
Shannon Koval, assisted by Jen Caul, scored the Muskies’ first-ever goal early on in the first period, then Carrie Johnson (from Dana Ward) made it 2-0 in the second.
Koval, once again assisted by Caul, iced the victory in the third period with her second goal of the game.
“I am excited for them. They worked hard in practice,” co-coach Pat Dittaro enthused after Friday night’s contest.
“They played like they could play,” echoed Lafleur, with McMahon noting one-third of the team has never played hockey before.
“We are happy with him and we can see an improvement from when they started,” remarked McMahon.
The coaches also stressed the players finally have realized that it’s hard work that will win them games.
Meanwhile, Lafleur said they’re still working on the basics with the girls.
“We are really working on skill development,” he noted. “We asked them to each set goals for themselves and hopefully as the year goes on, the team will progress.”
The next Muskie girls hockey game is scheduled here for Nov. 29 against Dryden at 2:30 p.m.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
