CANORA - “It's always a win when you be a part of bringing people together to enjoy and celebrate the season!”
Nicole Korpusik, coach of the Parkland Prairie Ice, said her team was excited to be involved in the Canora Winter Lights Festival on Nov. 30, part of a two-game weekend series against the Estevan Steel Reef Bearcats 2. The Ice won both games without giving up a goal, 7-0 on Saturday and 4-0 on Sunday.
Korpusik said the team seemed to have overcome the first-game jitters from the opening home game in early November.
“The girls were more excited than nervous this time around it seemed. They have been putting in a lot of work and we've been seeing it all come together in previous games, so it was time to show our home crowd what we were capable of.”
The Ice players appeared to be ready to play right from the opening whistle in the first period.
“We were getting lots of chances but not finding the mesh. Our girls continued to work hard every shift and try new things that finally paid off!”
A pair of goals by Rowyn Johnson of Norquay opened the scoring just before the halfway point of the first period.
A power play opportunity gave Estevan a chance to cut the deficit in half, but during the penalty kill, Ryea Harper of Canora broke in alone and beat the Bearcats goalie to increase the Ice lead.
“Our goal is to be an aggressive but smart team, and those short-handed goals are a product of that!” said Korpusik. “It's always a big deal when you can turn what should be an adverse situation into a productive one. Granted, we'd rather not be in those situations too often, but the girls don't hang their heads or lay blame, they go out and make the best of it.”
The Ice have been involved in numerous tight games so far this season, but Korpusik said they played well after building a three-goal lead by the first intermission.
“The girls were excited to see their hard work pay off and recognized that we have what it takes to win hockey games when we play with confidence and work as a unit on the ice.”
Johnson added a pair of third period goals for the Ice, giving her four for the game. In addition to Harper, other goal scorers were Cassidy Wolkowski of Canora and Karissa Keewatin of Cote First Nation. Lola Andres of Langenburg was the top playmaker with a pair of assists. Single helpers were contributed by Makayla Johnson of Sturgis, Mackena Kriger of Springside, Leah Braun of Swan River and Clara Barlow of Yorkton.
In Game 2, the Ice led 2-0 after the first period. There were no goals in the middle 20 minutes, but the home team added two more in the final period for a 4-0 final score.
Rowyn Johnson continued her hot weekend with a goal and two assists. Lola Andres, Morgan Olson of Sturgis and Elli Vogel of Theodore were the other goal scorers. Vogel also chipped in with an assist. Other assists came from the sticks of Isobella Marsh of Kamsack and Isabelle Smith of Yorkton.
After not giving up a goal in two straight games, Korpusik said goalie Ty Northrop of Norquay was well deserving of the shutouts.
“She is very steady, focused and consistent, and this weekend she did just that! Our defence did their jobs to ensure Ty didn't face too many breakaways or nasty garbage goal opportunities.”
Having a significant lead in Game 1 against Estevan, Korpusik said it was still important to be consistent.
“Honestly, we roll our bench pretty much the same no matter the situation, that's how every player is going to grow and become more confident in their skills and their roles. We know that doing this may result in some mistakes early in the season as girls are learning, but it's already paying off! I can throw any of my girls out there on a penalty kill or power play and know they are competent. In games like these however, I think the girls feel they have more freedom and confidence to try new things out on the ice that they wouldn't if the game was closer, so I love seeing what they can come up with to get creative with each other out there!”
Korpusik said she has seen significant growth in her players so far in the young season, which “comes with trust, support and opportunity. Our girls are great teammates to each other and lift each other up, which produces incredible results.
“When a player is given the chance to play, to make mistakes and still be supported by their coaches and team, that is when they show up and give everything they have. That is when they grow as players and as people, that's where the success lies and that's why we're here.
“I couldn't be happier with how this team is bonding and performing, the best is yet to come!”
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