In an intense competition over the remaining spot in tomorrow's Clarkson Cup women's national championship game, the Minnesota Whitecaps prevailed, edging out the Calgary Oval X-Treme. The depth of both teams' defense surfaced, as defensemen put all three pucks in the net.
For their part, Minnesota's Caitlin Cahow and Molly Engstrom, both of Team USA fame, foiled Calgary goalie Amanda Tapp. Each found the back of the net, giving the Whitecaps the lead in the first two periods.
Calgary rearguard Carla McLeod, Colleen Sostorics, Gillian Ferrari and Tessa Bonhomme, all Canadian National team members, demonstrated their experience by drilling pucks from the point, blocking shots, setting up their forwards and shutting down Minnesota rushes. But Minnesota still
found a few holes.
The Whitecaps opened the scoring at 13:44 of the first with a deceivingly accurate shot from the point by Cahow that went past Calgary netminder Tapp who was screened by two Minnesota forwards.
The Oval X-Treme's defensive skill proved itself again as a shot from the point by MacLeod sailed past Whitecaps goaltender. That evened up the score at one-all to end the first period.
The Whitecaps took the lead again early in second period with a typically aggressive play. Another Minnesota defensemen stepped up as Molly Engstrom walked in from the left hash-marks and drilled it past Tapp which proved to be the game winner.
Throughout the second, fans were treated to four-on-four and power-play hockey as both teams made regular trips to the box. During period two, Calgary centremen Cherie Piper and Gina Kingsbury were on fire, forcing the puck into the Minnesota zone and out-shooting the Whitecaps 12-8. But Minnesota's goaltender, Sanya Sandahl, wouldn't give them any room to score.
Minnesota carried the play for much of the third period, narrowly missing scoring opportunities with Calgary's Tapp standing strong in her crease. A couple of late-period efforts by Piper were similarly boxed in by the Whitecaps.
The player of the game for Calgary was Amanda Tapp and for Minnesota,Caitlin Cahow.
The national championship game will be held Saturday, March 21 at 1 pm eastern daylight time at the K-Rock Centre in Kingston. The Minnesota Whitecaps will take on the Montreal Stars for the inaugural Clarkson Cup. The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson will be in attendance to present the cup.
Courtesy of WWHL, written by Julia Wall-Clarke.
