January
14th, 2010
Wilmington, MA -- The Boston Shamrocks returned from their
shortened holiday break and headed to Cromwell, CT to compete
in the Connecticut Polar Bears Tournament.
After a timid 2-1 loss to the Lady
Islanders, the Shamrocks picked up their play the following
game against the Vermont Stars. Goaltender Nia Kelly turned
aside a flurry of shots in the first while the Shamrocks forwards
began to generate some offense. Vanessa Maines scored to give
the Shamrocks a lead, assisted by Sarahanne Cavolo and Drake
Hicks. Despite the constant pressure by the Shamrocks, Vermont
managed to answer back and the game ended in a 1-1 tie.
The next morning Boston faced off
against the VOSHA Lady Coyotes team from Arizona. Defenseman
Haylea Barbieri notched her first goal of the season in the
first period on a sharp wrister from the slot halfway through
the first period. After a scoreless second period the game
was still tied at 1-1. VOSHA scored early in the third, but
the Shamrocks responded with goals by Natasha Klinoff and
Vanessa Maines to take a 3-2 victory.
Boston entered the last day of
the tournament just a couple points out of the playoff picture
and needed a decisive win to put them in contention. With
this in mind, the Shamrocks came out flying against Team Pittsburgh
and immediately put offensive pressure on their goalie. Pittsburgh
managed to sneak one past Shamrocks goalie Maureen Bradley
in the second period, but the defense managed to contain most
of the Pittsburgh offensive chances. Boston played some of
its best hockey of the tournament, but couldn’t seem
to sneak one past the Pittsburgh netminder, and ended up just
missing out on the playoffs by a couple points.
The Shamrocks attracted the attention
of several college coaches, and look forward to competing
in Denver, Colorado against the East Division JWHL teams this
coming weekend.
