Dakotah Clement had a goal, and three points against the Northern Lights

After an opening day loss to NAHA, the Shamrocks rebounded with three excellent games over the rest of the weekend, picking up two ties and a one goal loss. “We could well have won all three games,” said Head Coach Josh Hechter. “We dominated large portions of each game, but we need to finish our chances and minimize our mistakes to ensure we hold a lead and get the win.”

In Saturday’s early game with NSA, the Shamrocks came out strong and peppered the Mountaineers goalie with shots, finally cashing in on a powerplay strike midway through the first. Taking a feed from Sarah Robello (Las Vegas, NV) who was along the end boards, Dakota Woodworth (Carlisle, MA) quickly released a wrister from the left circle that went top shelf. It would be the only goal of the period, and unfortunately, the only Shamrocks goal of the game. NSA came out strong to start the second, and was rewarded just 24 seconds in. However, Madi Litchfield (Williston, VT) held the fort, and turned aside the rest of the shots she faced in the period, and the game, saving 26 total. Despite dominating play and out shooting NSA 12-6 in the third, the Shamrocks could not find the go ahead goal.

The afternoon tilt was a physical affair with Colorado Select; one that saw Colorado amass 28 minutes in penalties. The Shamrocks controlled play for much of the first, however the period ended scoreless. The Select drew first blood early in the second, but the Shamrocks responded with a powerplay goal by Heather Schwarz (Naugatuck, CT) as she put home a Emily Auerbacher (Gladstone, NJ) rebound with just over eight minutes gone in the period. Two minutes later, Auerbacher potted a pass from Woodworth to give the Shamrocks a 2-1 lead. Both tallies were started by the smart puck movement of defenseman Kate Kohl (Chelmsford, MA) coming out of the defensive zone.

With just under a minute to play in the period the Select tied the game on a deflected shot that hit the ice in front of netminder MacKenzie Bruch (Barrie, ON) and then took a huge bounce up and over her glove. On top of her crease to take the initial shot, she watched as the shot, just out of her reach, ticked off the crossbar and dropped down into the net. Despite several powerplays in the third frame, the Shamrocks could not light the lamp. With just over two minutes left, the Select picked up their third goal on a shorthanded odd man rush. With the net empty and an extra attacker the Shamrocks mustered several shots on net, but came up short.

Sunday brought the Washington Pride, and the second tie of the weekend. The Shamrocks jumped out to an early lead on a strike by Schwarz, and then added to their lead in the second when Mary Donovan (Duxbury, MA) found the back of the net. Alas, the third frame belonged to Washington, as they netted two, including a powerplay goal  to earn the tie. Madi Litchfield turned aside 24 shots.