The Fearless, Frozen Females of Hockey

In anticipation of the 2014 Sochi Winter Games, the 2013 Four Nations Cup was meant to be an indicator of how the nations of Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States were prepared. Traditionally, the gold medal game is another chapter in the eternal rivalry between Canada and the US. Oddly, the United States would not qualify for its typical spot in the final. Instead, Canada found itself competing an upstart squad from Finland. While first period goals from Jenelle Kohanchuk, Vicki Bendus, Jennifer Wakefield and Brianne Jenner would provide Canada with a 4-1 lead, putting the game out of reach,  the contest was not without its surprises. While Finland would manage another two goals in the game, both were scored on power play opportunities. With less than three minutes remaining in the second stanza, Bailey Bram was serving her second slashing penalty of the game. In the third, she would be penalized for delay of game. Anna Kilponen would bury the puck past Charline...

As the third woman inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, Geraldine Heaney’s road to greatness was one filled with glory, accomplishment and sacrifice. With a career that spanned 27 years, this long-time fan favorite and hockey hero has transcended generations. Called the Bobby Orr of women’s hockey, the connection emanates courtesy of the event that put Heaney on the global hockey map. Although the 1990 IIHF Women’s Worlds had introduced an entire nation of hockey fans to Heaney, she had already been playing for 11 years. Her gold-medal winning goal against the US resulted in Heaney tumbling to the ice after she scored, similar to Bobby Orr after he scored the Stanley Cup winning goal against the St. Louis Blues in 1970. While Heaney will forever be remembered for that glorious goal, she also participated in a long lost hockey event; the 1987 Women’s World Hockey Tournament. Held in North York, Ontario and organized by Fran Rider of the OWHA, the event was not sanctioned by the I...

First Relegation Game goes to a shootout with strong goaltending on display With the heartbreak of not being able to compete for a medal, Sweden competed against the Czech Republic in the relegation. Despite qualifying for the 2014 Sochi Winter Games, Sweden had to cope with the fact that demotion was a harsh reality. The moment the puck dropped, the Swedes came out aggressively on offense. Their attack was complemented by the Swedish defense stifling the Czech offense. During the first half of the opening frame, the Czechs only managed one shot on net. Radka Lhotska was given the assignment of starting between the pipes for the Czech Republic . She was peppered with shots throughout the period. Lisa Johansson fired a slapshot that bounced out of her glove. With Katerina Flachsova of the Czech Republic serving a penalty for body checking, the Swedish persistence began to pay dividends. Johansson would manage to score the first power play goal of the tournament...

Russia prevails as Sweden is off to the relegation round Heading into the contest, there was a must-win feeling for Sweden as a loss would place them into the relegation round. As one of the premier women’s ice hockey programs in the world, the Swedes were hoping to end the round robin on a winning note. Standing between the pipes for Sweden was Valentina Lizana. Having faced 14 shots in the first frame, she played valiantly. The only goal she would allow in the first came courtesy of a power play. With Erika Grahm serving a penalty for body contact, Anna Shibanova would release a slap shot from the blue line that was tipped in by Russian captain Yekaterina Smolentseva. Sweden struggled to muster an offensive attack as they registered five shots in the frame. With three total penalties in the period, the emphasis was neutralizing the Russian power play. Near the end of the first frame, Sweden started to apply some pressure on Nadezhda Alexandrova as Pernilla Winber...

Germany prevails over Czech Republic with anticipation of quarterfinals Heading into the final day of competition in Pool B of the 2013 IIHF Women’s Worlds, Germany needed a win to stay alive in anticipation of qualifying for the quarterfinals. With a tough opponent in the Czech Republic , a loss would place either team in jeopardy of competing in the relegation games. A strong German power play made the difference in this contest. Marie Delarbre opened the scoring for the Germans on the power play. They would follow in the second period with another power play marker. While the Czechs outshot Germany in the first period, the club struggled with penalties. Heading into the final frame, the Czechs faced a 4-1 deficit. Katerina Becevova signified a goalie change but the Czech squad was frustrated. While the Czechs managed to score twice in the third, the Germans prevailed by a 6-3 tally.   The captain of Germany , Susann Gotz was excited about the possibil...

Mrazova leads Czech Republic to 6-3 victory with three point performance A hard skating match with great determination was the theme of this exhibition match at the CIH Arena in Rockland , Ontario . After a visceral 10-1 loss to Finland on March 29 in Smiths Falls , Ontario , the Czech Republic was hoping for a better result versus the Ottawa Gee Gees. Cassie Seguin, an alumnus with the Canadian Under-18 team was the starting goaltender for the Gee Gees. During the first period, she was a solid presence between the pipes as the Gee Gees were outshot. Denisa Krizova of the Czech Republic was the first player to test Seguin as she released a powerful shot. Following Krizova, Lucie Povova (who plays at the NCAA level with the Northeastern Huskies) shot in heavy traffic but Seguin was prepared. Klara Chmelova, who once attended the CIH Academy in Rockland , weaved her way through traffic but Seguin stoned her as well. Eventually, Seguin would get some offensive...

An emotional match for Sara Seiler saw her face-off against her former club team, the Carleton Ravens university women’s team. The contest began with a ceremonial face-off featuring Sue Scherer, the first captain of the Canadian Women’s Team that captured gold at the inaugural IIHF Women’s Worlds in 1990. Early on, the Germans believed that they had captured the first lead of the game. In the Ravens zone, Sara Seiler made a cross-ice pass that bounced off the skate of Ravens defender Kaylee Welk. While the puck found its way in the net, the goal was disallowed. Manuela Anwander of Germany proceeded to record a few shots on Ravens starting goaltender Tamber Tisdale. While there was a lot of back and forth with clean skating, both clubs struggled to assemble an offense. Germany ’s Maritta Becker was called for hooking in the first penalty of the game. With the Ravens on a power play, they were unable to capitalize on the opportunity. Ivonne Schroder, the starting goaltender...