Girls' Varsity Ice Hockey Moves to 13-0-1
"Each and every player stepped up and played with discipline, heart, and tenacity," said Head Coach Lisa Marshall.
Vermont faced New Hampton, the defending Lakes Region and NEPSAC Division 1 Champions, in the championship game of the Edward G. Watkins Holiday Tournament. Blanka Skodova '18 picked up the start in net, her sixth of the season.
The first period was filled with back and forth play, with each team going 0 for 2 on their respective power plays. Both goalies stood tall; however, Vermont was able to capitalize four minutes in. The play started in the defensive end when Kristyna Kaltounkova '20 made a breakout pass to Chloe Aurard '18, who skated through the neutral zone passing back to Kaltounkova, who maneuvered around a New Hampton defenseman and scored off a shot just below the goalie's glove. Carolina Keller '20 was credited with the second assist. The Wildcats continued to battle for the remainder of the period and headed into the second with a 1-0 lead.
The Wildcats offense exploded during the second period scoring three goals. The first of the three goals was scored by Aurard. She picked up the puck in the neutral zone, beat a New Hampton defenseman wide, and deked the goalie. Holly Meredith '18 and Gigi Wood '20 assisted the goal. With four minutes left in the period, the Wildcats scored their third of the game. Aurard skated the puck into the offensive zone and dropped it to Kaltounkova, who skated into the slot for a shot. Wood crashed the net and put in the rebound for her second point of the game. Kaltounkova scored her second of the game with two minutes remaining on four vs. four play. Aurard picked off the puck in the offensive zone and found Kaltounkova in the slot, who deked a defenseman and the goalie.
Vermont shut down New Hampton in the third period, playing stellar defense led by Skodova with 12 saves. The Wildcats continued to generate some scoring opportunities; however, they were not able to capitalize on any. The Wildcats did get under the Huskies skin and drew six penalties. Skodova recorded her second shutout in black and orange, finishing with 33 saves.
"As a coaching staff, we are extremely proud of not only the victory but the manner in which the team played," said Head Coach Lisa Marshall. "Each and every player stepped up and played with discipline, heart, and tenacity. The weekend is a true culmination of how hard we have worked thus far, and it gives the players a new threshold of what they are capable of when they work together. The group is a special one, and they are driven to chase goals as a team."
"As a coaching staff, we are extremely proud of not only the victory but the manner in which the team played," said Head Coach Lisa Marshall. "Each and every player stepped up and played with discipline, heart, and tenacity. The weekend is a true culmination of how hard we have worked thus far, and it gives the players a new threshold of what they are capable of when they work together. The group is a special one, and they are driven to chase goals as a team."
Along with winning the Edward G. Watkins Holiday tournament, Vermont defeated New Hampton for the first time since the 2010-2011 season. Aurard, Kaltounkova, and Lotti Odnoga '18 earned All-Tournament Team, while Skodova received MVP for her outstanding play.
Vermont is back in action on Friday, January 5, 2018 at Holderness School for a 4:30 puck drop in a Lakes Region matchup.
Vermont Academy is a coed college preparatory boarding and day school in southern Vermont, serving grades 9-12 plus a postgraduate year.
