Rockland hosts another chapter in Canada - US rivalry

-
One element that was established at the Under-18 ice hockey exhibition between Canada and the United States in Rockland, Ontario is that the rest of the world is not yet ready to catch up to them. Those three games were filled with as much emotion and drama as the gold medal hockey games at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games. Both teams played their hearts out and impressed all in attendance. Canada and the US split the first two games, and the third game was tied at 3-3 after two periods. The level of intensity in ice hockey between these two countries is clearly at all competitive levels. With all the excitement and high level of competition (including scouting by former Winter Games head coaches Melody Davidson and Ben Smith) that was displayed on the ice, there were several players that intrigued:
                Erin Ambrose: Hockey card aficionados already know that she has appeared on cardboard (2010 Upper Deck World of Sports card # 173). Ambrose’s on-ice leadership is reminiscent to that of IIHF Hall of Famer Geraldine Heaney. It was no coincidence that she was named captain of the Canadian team. After the third game, she was at a table near the media room with teammates signing for fans, young and old, while making new friends in the process. All signs indicate that fans will see Ambrose suit up for Canada at the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
                Laura Stacey: Like Gillian Apps, Stacey has strong roots to the Toronto Maple Leafs. With her ponytail sticking out of her helmet and gliding through the air, Stacey led all Canadian players in scoring. Her performance reinforces the roots she comes from. As the great granddaughter of the immortal King Clancy (the first NHL player to play all six positions in one game), and the niece of 1964 Winter Games competitor Terry Clancy, she is more than able to carry the torch and continue the proud legacy laid down by her family. Expect Stacey to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the debut of women’s ice hockey at the Winter Games with a medal proudly adorned around her neck at the 2018 Winter Games.
                Meghan Dufault: Based on the performance of Manitoba at the 2011 Winter Games (of which Dufault was a member); Manitoba is quickly becoming a women’s ice hockey hotbed. Following in the steps of the Ste. Anne Three (Bailey Bram, Melanie Gagnon, Jocelyne Larocque), the legendary Jennifer Botterill, and former Under 18 players such as Christine Bestland, Shelby Bram and Caitlin MacDonald, Dufault’s three power play goals in the series make her the next great hockey star to come from Manitoba. Clearly, this level of talent is helping Manitoba catch up to the likes of Alberta, Ontario and Quebec in women’s ice hockey prominence.

Morgan Richardson: With her parents (former NHL player Luke Richardson is her father) in attendance, Morgan is representing Canada like father did at the World Juniors in 1986-87. More importantly, the Richardson family is a great source of inspiration and character. After the death of her younger sister, Daron in November 2010, Morgan was one of the key figures in ensuring the DIFD (Do It for Daron) charity became a reality. With DIFD becoming a source of inspiration to others, Morgan’s performance on the ice is equally so. Had she decided to stop hockey due to her sister’s passing, no one would have blamed her. Her determination to continue and persevere by coming part of Canada’s Under 18 team displays a great deal of inspiration. May her continue for many more years.
Alexandra (Alex) Carpenter: Of all the players on the United States team, Massachusetts native Carpenter is the real deal. The daughter of Bobby Carpenter (Stanley Cup champion with New Jersey in 1995) was rightfully named captain of the United States squad. Not only did she display a strong, physical game, but she consistently displayed strong puck control. On more than one occasion in the series, Carpenter would grab the puck from the US end of the ice and bring it up to the Canadian end. It was shades of another Massachusetts hockey legend, Bobby Orr. Heading to the Boston College Eagles in the autumn, Carpenter should easily be able to replace outgoing BC alum and All-America selection, Kelli Stack.
Like her opposing captain in the series, Erin Ambrose, she is another prodigy who should have a roster spot reserved for the 2018 Winter Games. If the rivalry continues to develop between the two, the fans in attendance in Rockland, Ontario will say they were there when it started.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Cheyenne Matus looking to make her mark with Rowan University

-
The road that Cheyenne Matus followed on her way to university hockey is one that many have taken before her. Competing in boys’ hockey, the feelings of resentment add to an uneasiness that is all too often, a sad yet character-building rite of passage. While she competed in other sports, such as soccer and softball, the Friday Night Skate at the local armory had captivated her. Three years later, the experience of house league hockey and private lessons paid dividends as Matus became a budding star in the various Boys Leagues. Reality would rear its ugly head once Matus became of high school age. Despite the fact that her skills were such that she was invited to compete in the high school spring league (before her freshman year was to begin), she found herself unfairly isolated and ostracized because she was the only girl competing. Once summer became autumn and school bells filled the air, Matus had endured three difficult days of tryouts. Despite showing hard work and d
Read more

Sarah Davis contributes three points as Minnesota Golden Gophers capture first game of 2014 Hockey City Classic

-
Image
For a Minnesota Golden Gophers squad that has made its share of NCAA women’s hockey history, January 18 marked a new milestone for the proud program. Competing at TCF Bank Stadium, the Golden Gophers competed in their first home outdoor game. It was also the first NCAA Division I outdoor game ever held in the state of Minnesota. With an attendance of 6,623 fans, it was the largest attendance for a home game since November 2, 1997, the first game in program history (an 8-0 win against Augsburg). Of note, the Golden Gophers played in one other outdoor game, a January 29, 2011 contest on the road versus the Wisconsin Badgers. Attendance for that event was 10,668 fans, the highest attendance for a road game in program history. Playing against fellow WCHA rivals, the Minnesota-State Mankato Mavericks, the Hockey City Classic marked what fans hope can become an annual tradition. Improving their mark to 21-1-1 on the strength of three points by Sarah Davis, the Golden Gophers have
Read more

Acquisition of Bailey Bram by Sweden’s Linkoping a revolutionary step in women’s game

-
Image
While the world of women’s hockey is dominated in international play by Canada and the United States, the borders in the global game are slowly dissolving. Last season, All-World goaltender Florence Schelling spoiled Canadian hockey fans by competing with the CWHL’s Brampton Thunder. In January 2014, Sweden’s LHC Dam (also known as Linkoping) has reciprocated by bringing Bailey Bram into the fold. Truly a historic signing, it recognizes the value that women's players from North America mean to the growth of the game globally. Ironically, Bram was Schelling’s teammate with the Thunder for the 2012-13 season.   The sojourn to Sweden represents the third country where Bram shall play competitive hockey. In addition to her native Canada, she played four years of collegiate hockey in the United States with Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania. Reputed as a great team player and a friendly personality, Bram is the perfect ambassador for the game in Sweden.     Having pla
Read more