GP North Norsemen

Grosse Pointe North’s girls improved to 3-1 in the league and 5-1 overall on Wednesday night as they beat Cranbrook 6-4. Entering the third period the Norsemen were down 4-2. “We made some line changes after the second period in an effort to create more offense and it worked. The kids responded well and they worked really hard.” (Coach Van Eckoute)

Cranbrook got on the board first. Ariel Magidson, unassisted, picked the top corner after walking out of the corner. Three minutes Cranbrook scored again when Abby Cohen and Audrey Stapleton teamed up to put Cranbrook up 2-0. The Norsemen mounted a charge as Emily N.n scored from Christy S. and Marissa L.. With just over a minute left in the first Liz R. received a pass at the point from Alexa Q. and ripped it past the Cranbrook net minder to tie the score at 2 a piece. The Cranes weren’t going to go quietly though, Audrey Stapelton scored from Ari Shane with thirty two seconds left in the first period to regain the lead 3-2.

The second period was quiet with both teams having opportunities. Finally with four and a half minutes left Cranbrook took a two goal lead for the second time in the game as Ariel Magidson scored off a Carolyn Gard pass.

“During the period break the coaching staff discussed some options for the third period and then we explained them to the kids. The team rallied behind each other and the result was a positive one.” (Coach Van Eckoute) North exploded for four unanswered goals.  Emily N. got her second of the evening on a breakaway after Merideth C. sent a perfect feed up the middle. North’s next goal came just a minute later when Alexa Q. scored to tie the game. Melissa C. controlled the puck down low and fed it out to Quinlan parked in front. Four shifts later Melissa C. scored the eventual game winner after Marissa L. found her on the back door. Cranbrook called a time out to regroup but a minute after the time out North got an insurance goal when Quinlan and LaValley teamed up again. The last eight minutes North played a strong defensive game shutting down any attempted comeback by Cranbrook.

Coach Van Eckoute gave credit for the victory to the fact that he was able to run four lines for the majority of the game. “In the third period we had more gas. When we needed to shorten things up our players were able to be stronger because they were better rested. There were no selfish attitudes we worked together for a common goal. Everyone accepted their role and that’s what every coach whishes for.”