Women's Hockey League report

Action is underway for the fourth season in the local Women's Hockey League.

SooToday.com will publish a weekly report of games from the WHL provided by Lorie Springall.

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WEEK ONE REPORT: By Lorie Springall

Sault Ste. Marie's recreational Women's Hockey League kicked off its fourth season Sunday, January 2nd. Nine teams compete in the league which runs every Sunday at McMeeken Arena from 4-6 pm and every Monday night in Echo Bay from 6:30-10:30pm.

Returning team sponsors include Crawford's Canines (Dr. Alan Crawford), Investors Group (Ellen MacDougall), Source for Sports, Lafarge, Algoma Insurance, Palmer Paving, The Country Way and Skip's Kweok (Skip Jones). White Oak Paint joins the league as a new team sponsor.

Regular season games run from January to March with playoffs and finals set for the end of March.

In the league's first week of action, Skip's Kweok, Country Way and Lafarge each split their first two games with a win and a loss, while Palmer Paving and Source for Sports started off their season with a win each.

In Sunday's games, Skip's Kweok defeated Country Way 4-3. Eight players contributed in the scoring for Skip's. Debbie Desgagne and Pam Booth each had a goal and an assist. Christine Robertson and Natalie Barry also scored once. Single assists went to Tanya Thompson, Trish Irvine, Chris Elliot and Mona Jones.

Country Way got two goals from Joanne Pine and one from Sue Chiblow. Donna Smith and Kristy Kernaghen had one assist each.

In Sunday's other game, Lafarge scored three goals in the first period and held on to win 3-2 over Algoma Insurance. Newcomers, Gerri Miller and Robin Bourck each scored once along with veteran Alicia Pollock. Another league rookie, Cheri Taylor earned one assist.

Algoma replied with two goals from Lori Swan but couldn't get the equalizer past Lafarge netminder, Nancy Dewling. Debbie "Bam Bam" Beauchamp had one assist for Algoma Insurance.

The recent warm weather caused Monday night's games to be moved to Desbarats and Bruce Mines. (Echo Bay has a natural ice surface).

In Bruce Mines, Crawford's Canines rallied with two quick goals late in the game to tie White Oak Paint 2-2. Lisa Rowlinson and Laurie Laudadio put White Oak up 2-0 by the midway point, with assists going to Julie Hodkinson, Anita Kovac, Barb Willoughby and Elaine Angelic.

Rookie goaltender, Joy Agawa's first career shutout was spoiled with five minutes remaining when Sarah Fischer scored on a rebound during a 3 on 0 breakaway. Assists went to Brenda Sayers and "newbee" Jaime Adair.

A minute later, Adair and Chrissy Wade set up Brenda Sayers for the equalizer during a goal mouth scramble.

In the second game, Palmer Paving had all cylinders firing, jumping out to a 4-0 lead over Investors Group before settling for a 5-2 win. Suzanne Dunn and Denise Goldade each scored twice with Leah-Anne Pine scoring once. Dunn also had two assists. Goldade and MaryAnn Stott had one assist each.

Ellen MacDougall scored both Investors Group goals. Single assists went to Marg Walsh, Carrie Mancuso and rookie Leslie Bois.

Lisa Venier's hattrick and solid team defence led Source for Sports to a 4-3 win over Skip's Kweok in Desbarats. Rhonda Crozier had The Source's other goal. Heather Coutu had two assists, while Karen Gartshore and "newbee" Lori Ballstadt earned one assist each.

Mona Jones replied with two goals for Skip's. Teammate Debbie Desgagne had the other goal and one assist while Pam Booth picked up one assist.

In the second game, Lafarge's Robin Bourck and Gerri Miller handled the scoring with Bourck netting a hattrick and Miller pitching in with two assists. It was all in a losing cause, however, as two goals by Country Way in the last two minutes secured a Country Way 5-3 win.

Sherry Boston netted the winner with 1:42 left to play to secure the win. Trish Secondi added the insurance marker just 30 seconds later for her first of the season. Sue Chiblow scored once and assisted on the final two goals.

Kristy Kernaghen and Francine "Flash" Floreani also scored for the winners. Single assists went to Donna Smith, Joanne Pine and rookie Tammy Vince.

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