(27Feb99)  Saturday afternoon at Toronto's Varsity Arena, the Pandas of
Alberta slipped past the Laurier Golden Hawks 3-2.  It was a stunning match,
that featured the power game of Laurier against the run and gun of Alberta.
In the end, the great attack of the Pandas proved to be their best defense.
 
The game began quickly.  Both teams were going for it.  However, after a short
time, Alberta started to press with their simple passes and rapid movement
forward.  Krysty Lorenz (Susan Huculak) gave the Pandas a 1-0 lead on a power
play when she rolled out of the corner unmarked and drilled her chance into
the back of the net.  The westerners went ahead 2-0 when Lorenz (Jennifer
Moroskat) buried her try, when she was left alone in the slot.  Alberta was
not sitting back, but pushing their advantage.  In the last minute, Laurier
struck back when Caroline Hall (Cheryl Pounder) took a long ball pass, deked
the goalie and stuffed it home.  Lovely goal!
 
In the second, after killing off a penalty, the Pandas were off to the races
again!  It was run and gun at its best - wow!  Lori Shupak (Maria McKenzie,
Mandy Kinjerski) made it 3-1 when she culminated a series of attacks and
rifled the puck in.  Alberta was hitting their open player and giving Laurier
fits.
 
In the final period, the Hawks came back to make it 3-2 when Hall (Kimberly
Shillington) scored during a 5 on 3 power play.  It was a case of power
overload.  But, Alberta kept making the simple pass and most of the rest of
the match was in the Laurier end.
 
I think Laurier left too much for the end.  They never seemed to get on track
today.  Laurier has a lot of strong players, however they just didn't have the
wheels.  Heather Warren played a heck of a good match on the blue line.  Her
anticipation was super.  The Laurier woman of the match was Hall.  She had a
super outing and took her two scores with relish.  So, it looks like an all-
Ontario 3rd place match.
 
The Pride of Alberta did themselves proud.  The Canada West champions clearly
came to play.  It is refreshing to see a team go forward without hesitation.
I was again taken by the elegant moves and splendid vision of Erin van de
Wetering.  She is an excellent defender.  Tonya d'Entremont was a tower of
strength on the Panda blue line.  Lorenz took her two goals clinically.  She's
a real gunner.  Trish Semeniuk had a wonderful back-checking match.  She broke
up numerous Laurier attempts.  The woman of the match was the line of
McKenzie, Shupak and Kinjerski.  They had fabulous movement as a unit.  The
game winning goal they produced was inspirational!  Overall, looks like an
East-West final, and I know the Pandas will be running and gunning.
 
 _____________
/
 good shooting
 hungerf
_____________/
 
HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey;  send information to
[log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.