Alex girls win first round at state tourney
Story and photo, above, from the StarTribune website
Alexandria 5, South St. Paul 2
Recap: Alexandria jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two periods but had to hold on through a wild third period to defeat the four-time state champion Packers. The Cardinals killed off three penalties in the final 10 minutes, including a 5-on-3.
Turning point: Senior forward Abby Williams scored on a breakaway 9:15 into the third period, splitting two defenders at the blue line and stuffing the puck in at the right post. The goal restored a three-goal lead for Alexandria, but more importantly, killed South St. Paul's momentum.
The quote: "Can I burn that monkey now?" -- Alexandria coach Mitch Loch, referring to a small stuffed monkey that the Cardinals coaching staff used to remind the team of four consecutive first-round losses in the tournament.
Unsung standout: Alexandria goalie Danielle Justice made 16 saves in the third period, including six on power plays in the final 10 minutes.
Noteworthy: Loch stressed that, while Alexandria came to St. Paul with the goal of winning the tournament, the Cardinals were going to enjoy their first opening-game victory in five years. "You have to celebrate things like this," he said.
Alexandria 2 1 2 - 5
South St. Paul 0 0 2 - 2
First: A-Paulzine (Ecklund), 4:16; A-Nielsen (Ecklund), 12:44, pp.
Second: A-DelZoppo (Anez) 13:57, pp.
Third: S-Simones (Kraus, LaShomb), 5:23 pp; A-Williams, 9:15; S-Anderson (Simones, Brisson), 12:43; A-Rindy 16:36, en, sh.
Saves: A-Justice 4-7-16-27; S-Engelmeier 8-6-3-17.
JON MARTHALER
Here's the cub's take:
Tom Obert
Cub Reporter
As the Diehard Fans drove away from Alexandria this morning, we were constantly reminded by Patty Wicken on KXRA that the temperature was 26 degrees below zero. The wind chill was such that it could make certain body parts crack and fall off - but we were heading south, to the Cities, where the temperature was rumored to be a balmy minus 10.
We were going to see the Alexandria Cardinals play the first game in the girls state hockey tournament against South St. Paul at the XCel Energy Center. We arrived at 10:00 am and parked (mostly out of habit) at the across the street Science Museum of Minnesota [pic1]. We walked into the arena in time to watch the Cards warm-up [pic2], greet our neighbors in the stands [pic3], spill my coke so we were wading in "sticky" the whole game, and settle in for team introductions [pic4] and the opening face-off [pic5].
The game started - we Diehards, and Stacey Paulzine's folks sitting immediately behind us, said, "$%^**^^$, we've got soft ice again!" Last year the ice at both the XCel and Ridder Arena were noticeably "softer" than what the team prefers - harder ice is better for a small, fast team like ours. Again this year, it appeared like the girls, and the puck, were moving through molasses. But they got through the early stages and we able to pick up the pace.
Then Stacey scored the first goal of the tournament. Her linemate, Ally Nielsen, also scored in the 1st period and the Cards led 2 - 0 at the break. Kat DelZoppo scored in the 2nd period and the Cards led 3 - 0. At this point, the Cards seemed to be in total control of the game. In the 3rd period, the Cards got a "too many men on the ice" penalty - we seem to be the only team that is ever called on, although it seems it could be called every time there is a line change.
On the power play, the Packers were able to get a rebound past Roadblock. That seemed to change the whole pace of the game - the Cards had to kill off several penalties the rest of the game (they would not, and did not, after the game mention anything about the illnesses that have been plaguing the school and the team for the last couple of weeks - but they were obviously pooped).
Abby Williams scored to make it 4 - 1 - then the Packers scored again, another rebound on a power-play situation. In the hectic final minutes, Beth Rindy scored for the Cards on a length of the ice shot into an empty net to wrap up the win. Nikki Ecklund was named player of the game with 3 assists - we were happy for the 2nd line, as Nikki, Stacey, and Ally all had terrific games. And, of course, Roadblock was great in net.
Photos: Kathryn DelZoppo (No. 27) received a marriage proposal from a smitten fan; left, Danielle and Abby on the concourse after the game - Abby has a similarly neat hat, lilac in color, Tom thinks. Below, our girls in their Mid-winter gowns.
