Cards whip Sartell in hockey opener, 8-1

Indulgence begged, gentle readers.
Cub too emotional to present straight news

Kathryn DelZoppo and Abby Williams

By Tom Obert
Cub Reporter
The 2007-2008 Minnesota Girls High School Hockey season began last night at the Runestone Community Center (RCC ) where the Alexandria Cardinals, seeking a 5th consecutive state tournament berth, defeated Sartell/Sauk Rapids by the score of 8 - 1.

From here on, the cub reporter requests the readers indulgence . . . for this is the senior year of a special group of young women who five years ago began this string of excellence and attracted a group of ever-growing Diehard Fans.

So, in honor of this hallowed occasion, the cub reporter began photographic coverage with the announcement of the game on the RCC marquee several days ago, a pre-game meeting of some of the Diehard Fans at the Sixth Avenue Wine & Ale, Ruthie's arrival at the RCC before the game, entering the arena at the snack bar, and approaching the double red door entry to the rink.

First goal in 14 seconds
The Diehard Fans began settling into their seats, Dave Harris (voice of the Cardinals, black hat, red top) settled into his radio announcing perch, and the team went through their pre-game warm-ups.
After player introductions, the game began - and 14 seconds(!) later Abby Williams scored the first goal of the game.
Abby, the leading scorer in the state last year with 102 points, went on to score three more goals in the game - and with two assists, recorded a 6-point game. Twice she had break-aways, which always bring the crowd to their feet - she scored a beautiful goal the first time, the second time she was tackled from behind which led to a rare penalty shot which she converted with a nifty backhand.
Her talented linemates, Kathryn DelZoppo, who has played on the same line as Abby since the 7th grade (see photo), and sophomore Michelle Anez, each scored on terrific individual moves. Senior defenseman Caitlin Murphy and sophomore forward Allyson Nielsen rounded out the scoring.

Abby obviously was named player-of-the-game and was on the radio with Dave Harris after the game. They both commented on the size of the crowd - the Diehards presented their largest group ever to include the Oberts, the Annens, the Rogosheskes, the Dittberners, Dave Hoyme . . . and newcomers Julie and Mike Shaughnessy and Roger Riley, all of whom are recent retirees to Alex from The Cities, and all indicated they will certainly be attending future games.

The Diehards were delighted to note that this team has more depth than any prior team. Tonight 11 forwards and 7 defenseman all had ice time, and it's incredible the number of players who are still in junior high - a 7th-grader is a starting defenseman (as is the back-up goalie - when the cub reporter was in the 7th grade, his mother had to check him to make sure his shoes were on the right feet).

And this year's team is playing a schedule that includes road trips to Grand Rapids and Hibbing over the Thanksgiving weekend, and to Breck during Christmas week. After that, the team should really be prepared to make a strong run at the state championship - and we'll be with them all the way.
The other seniors besides Abby (going to Mankato State) and Del, are Ashley Holmes (going to North Dakota), Danielle "Roadblock" Justice (another great game in goal, leaning toward Gustavus), Abby Nelson, Nikki Ecklund, Caitlin Murphy, and Lindsey Burow. Incredibly, in addition to the two 7th-graders on the team, there are THIRTEEN 8th-graders, and three freshmen.