The Central Alberta Amazons blasted the Medicine Hat Hounds 7-2 in the second last game of the regular season for a team that has grown increasingly close over the course of the year.
Cassidy Holt and Kelsey Mastel got a pair apiece to send the hometown team to victory Feb. 9 at the Penhold Regional Multiplex.
ìI felt that we played really well position-wise,î said Mastel, a left-winger, noting on-ice chemistry helps. ìWe just kind of connect better than other teams I've played with.î
Holli Duffy, Madison Moskowy and Kate Skoreyko also hit the back of the net during the game, aiding the Amazons in maintaining the second-place spot in the league, trailing only the Banff Bears, a hockey academy team.
ìEveryone gets along,î Mastel said. ìMy biggest thing right now is I really want to take it to Banff next weekend.î
Coach Doug Demott said it was nice to see the girls beating the goaltender, since that's something they've had trouble with this season.
ìThat's been our biggest Achilles heel,î he said. ìWe're probably one of the lowest scoring teams.î
As the team gets ready for the post-season Demott is looking at shortening up the bench, since the team has been rolling four lines all season.
ìNo other team has that amount of players,î he said. ìI just have to refocus them and get ready for playoffs.î
Charissa Kadar, centre, says it felt good to see the team knock a few in.
ìWe've been lacking shots in our previous games,î she said. ìWe haven't been capitalizing on our opportunities.î
Hounds forward Reynelle CÙtÈ, said even though their team lost it was fun to play against the Amazons.
ìI think we're improving over the year,î she said. ìWe still haven't won a game yet. We celebrate after every goal.î
Christina Maier, who plays defence for the Hounds, said the Amazons demonstrated a particularly physical style of play. Late in the third period Amazons forward Teale Spooner sent a fist flying in front of the Hounds' net, propelling Maier straight to the ice as a result.
ìShe legit wound up and smoked me,î Maier said. ìI wasn't expecting it.î
Spooner was quickly handed a suspension and tossed out of the game.
Demott says he's glad the Amazons have bonded and can't wait until the big game against Banff Saturday Jan. 16 at 5:30 at the Penhold Regional Multiplex.
ìEverybody's kind of like family,î he said. ìJust seeing that the girls are having fun, that's probably the biggest joy of coaching.î
"That's been our biggest Achilles heel. We're probably one of the lowest scoring teams."Doug DemottAmazons coach
