Dayton Fangs Women's Ice Hockey

The combined team featuring a handful of Fangs, five Capitals, four Sirens, and a player from the Strongsville Stingers/Pittsburgh Puffins played 3 strong games in the Top division at the Lucky Stars Tournament in Cincinnati. Kim LaPole, Sari Hardyal, Krista Kercher, Julie Orenstein, Patti Rupp-Hunt, and Marianne Graham all saw time with the team as they took on two teams from Cincinnati (Stars Black and Stars Orange) and one excellent team from Missouri (Hericanes). The team took a quick lead in the first period verses the Black Stars with Allison Kossler (POWHA Columbus Capitals) putting the puck past Cassie Zureick (POWHA Cincinnati Rising Stars). The lead held up until the final second of the 1st when a Stars player bounced the puck off Courtney Spurgeon (Circle City Sirens) into the air and got the lucky and timely bounce into the net moments before the horn sounded. The next period contained goals from Michelle Hill (POWHA Columbus Capitals) and 2 more from the Cincy team. Due to circumstances outside the control of the team, the refs decided to start a running clock with the game 3-2 in favor of Cincy. Though the combined team worked hard to get a tying goal, it was Cincy in the end who got one more and the game quickly ended 4-2 with Cincy on Top. The following game was against a fantastic and very physical team from Missouri. The Hericane team came out with a lot of pressure and scored two goals quickly to go up 2-0 in the first. The combined team settled it down though and really held the talented team off for most of the game. The combined team was outshot 36-10 and outscored 6-0, but considering the level of competition the score doesn't tell how the game really went. There were some great chances offensively and soem wonderful defensive plays. There were also some questionable calls and a questionable goal. However, the game was a great experience. The next morning the combined team awoke to be joined by a few more Fangs players and one more Siren who helped to replace the injured Kercher, and AWOL Hardyal and Graham. The combined team took on the Cincy Orange team in a tight game that the combined team lost 3-0. The tournament was a great learning experience for the Fangs who participated, supported by combined team coaches Gary and Ralph who both made the 2 day trip. The team competed in the Top Division but showed no fear. The tournament results left us 0-3, but we were strong every shift. Thanks to the other teams who participated as well. Look for more combined opportunities in the future.