CORNWALL, Ontario – The St. Lawrence College Sharks women’s hockey team cleaned house at the Fleming College Invitational in Peterborough winning all their games and bringing home the gold.
After being eliminated in the semi-finals at their last tournament, the SLC Sharks were looking to reach the championship game at the one-day tournament on Thursday, Jan. 22.
Game One vs. Seneca College – W 6-1
The Sharks didn’t waste anytime building a lead against the Seneca Sting, who played their second game of the tournament on just 15 minutes of rest. SLC quickly went up 3-0 in the first period with Emily Graham, Jocelyn Sutton, and Annie Young scoring for the Sharks. Seneca would score on the powerplay to start the second period, by Carly Henderson responded for SLC with a goal on the very next play. Renee Lortie would add another goal late in the third period, making it a 6-1 final.
Stephanie Seguin wasn’t busy in net for SLC, but made timely saves when she was called upon.
Game Two vs. Fleming College – W 7-1
Just like in game one, the Sharks didn’t waste time opening the scoring. Maddie Clouthier would jamb in a loose puck just 4 minutes into the game, and Lortie added an important insurance goal at the end of the first period. Julie Curtis scored on a breakaway for the Sharks to open the second period. Elica Earl (2), Julie Curtis, Roberta Mamakwa each scored goals for the Sharks, with Fleming sneaking one in on a powerplay to make it a 7-1 final.
Marika Dirven played well in her first game in net for the Sharks.
Semi-finals vs. Fleming College – W 4-1
Keeping with tradition, the Sharks scored the first goal early in the game with Sutton scoring her second goal of the tournament. The Knights would respond with a screened shot from the point on the powerplay that Sam Turcotte had no chance of seeing.
With the score tied, things started to heat up between the two teams with players rotating through the penalty box heading into the second period.
Sutton would break the deadlock with a great point shot that would go bar down, and Julie Curtis added the insurance goal just before the period ended.
The Sharks played very well defensively in the third period, as Fleming would bring lots of pressure. But SLC held on, eventually scoring an empty net goal, and would advance to the finals with a 4-1 victory.
Finals vs. Georgian College – W 3-0
SLC generated several chances in the first period against the Georgian Grizzlies but could not find an answer to the Georgian goalie.
Finally, Josee Daze would fire a shot that found a hole glove side on the Georgian goalie, putting SLC up 1-0.
The game continued with Georgian beginning to generate some chances and coming close to tying the game until Carly Henderson scored for the Sharks to go up 2-0.
After killing off a penalty, Julie Curtis scored to put the game out of reach in the third period, sealing the Sharks 3-0 victory and first Invitational Championship of the year.
“We knew at the first tournament this year that we have a talented group that knows how to score goals” said Sharks coach Sean Boulerice.
“They didn’t get rewarded then, but today the goals came in bunches and we were able to continue that play in all four games.”
The Sharks don’t have much time off, as they play in the one day Wilfrid Laurier-Brantford Invitational on Feb. 6.
