Three Wins Move Shamrocks Into Fifth In JWHL January 18th, 2012
Madi Litchfield's two shut-outs helped move the Shamrocks into
fifth overall in the JWHL
The 19 White garnered its third straight winning weekend in JWHL action, with a three win performance on the campus of the University of Minnesota. The six points moved them into fifth overall in the league, five behind fourth place Washington Pride with five league games remaining in the regular season.
“We picked up three wins and six important points, and we didn’t even play our best hockey,” said head coach Josh Hechter.
The weekend started off with a tough 2-1 loss to Balmoral Hall. Trailing 2-0 in the third, the Shamrocks cut the lead in half on a powerplay strike by Heather Schwarz (Naugatuck, CT), who potted the rebound of a Cassy Opela (Penfield, NY) shot from the point. Dakota Woodworth (Carlisle, MA) looked to have tied the game at the buzzer, but the goal was waived off as the officials ruled that time had expired.
“It was a very good game, against one of the two best teams in the league,” said Hechter. “They were saved by the bell, so to speak.” Madi Litchfield had 40 saves in the loss.
The nightcap on Friday featured the Warner Warriors, and resulted in a 4-1 loss. “We played pretty well, and had our chances, but aside from a short handed goal by Emily Auerbacher (Gladstone, NJ) we couldn’t find the back of the net.” said Hechter.
On Saturday the 19 White responded with two wins. MacKenzie Bruch (Barrie, ON) backstopped a 20 save effort to a hard fought 2-1 win over the hometown Minnesota Thoroughbreds. “It was a very physical, glass rattling game,” said assistant coach Caitlin Oleksa.”
Picking up her second goal of the weekend, Auerbacher got the Shamrocks on the board late in the first with help from Schwarz. In the second, Auerbacher returned the favor as Schwarz netted a powerplay marker that would turn out to be the game winner.
On Saturday night at Ridder Arena Madi Litchfield (Williston, VT) turned aside all 19 shots, blanking the Pacific Steelers. Defenseman Kate Kohl (Chelmsford, MA) and Rachel Ade (Devenport, FL) teemed up to score the game winner, while Mary Donovan (Duxbury, MA) added an insurance tally with help from Kim Laspina (Reading, MA) and Redford.
Closing out the trip to Minnesota on the Olympic sheet of Marriucci Arena, the Shamrocks topped the Edge Mountaineers 1-0, on an Auerbacher powerplay goal. Litchfield had 35 saves to earn her second shut-out of the weekend.
