Women's Hockey League report

Three weeks of action are complete while a fourth gets underway on Sunday afternoon in the local Women's Hockey League.

Source for Sports remains the lone undefeated team through three weeks of play with record of two wins and a pair of ties.

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

*** WEEK THREE REPORT: By Lorie Springall

Only two weeks after changing venues due to melting ice conditions, WHL players, coaches, officials and fans endured a wicked -23 degree temperature at the Echo Bay Sportsplex Monday night in an exciting third week of play.

Frigid temperatures mean fast ice and a bit more bite to the games, as one ended with a huge win, another separated by a goal and two games ended in a tie.

In the night's opener, Skip's Kweok threw everything they had at Algoma Insurance but couldn't get the equalizer past goalie Sherri Collins. 3-2 was as close as they came with Skip's Pam Linklater scoring on a low shot with 49 seconds remaining.

An extra attacker in the dying seconds gave Skip's plenty of chances, but with all the excitement they inadvertently put out one too many extra attackers and were dinged with a minor penalty, deflating their chances to tie the game.

Debbie Desgagne had Skip's other goal. Assists went to Chris Elliot, Pam Booth and Mona Jones. Algoma goals came from Debbie Beauchamp (2) and Andrea Jarzombek. Jarzombek also had an assist along with Theresa Glover.

In the night's second game, Lafarge spanked White Oak Paint 6-1. Robin Bourck led the way with four points including a hat trick and one assist. Susan Sherrard, Geri Miller and Michelle Dillenbeck also scored for Lafarge. Assists went to Patti Lutz, Marg VanLendegham, Alicia Pollock, Cheri Taylor and "pick up player" Tanya Thompson.

Julie Hodkinson scored White Oak's only goal with Elaine Angelic picking up the assist. White Oak's Lori "Big Bird" Bonnell reluctantly sat out the game with a groin injury, suffered in Sunday's 4-1 win over Palmer Paving.

Big Bird had a goal in that game along with Laurie Laudadio and two from Elaine Angelic to hand Palmer their first loss of the season. Julie Hodkinson, Barb Willoughby, Tanya Dowding and Deedee Watson pitched in with one assist each.

Denise "Deeter" Goldade replied for Palmer Paving with Jean Feagan getting the only assist.

"The Paving Crew" bounced back from Sunday's loss to earn a 1-1 tie with Crawford's Canines Monday night.

Crawford's Brenda Sayers snapped a scoreless tie with 6 minutes remaining in the second period. Sarah Fischer had the only assist on the play. Leah-Anne Pine answered for Palmer just 7 minutes later with Crystal Earl earning an assist.

Both teams pressed for the go ahead goal throughout the third but neither could break through each other's stingy defence.

The Canines played perhaps their best game of the season and co-captain, Vicky Irving was pleased with their performance.

"We had a really good practice the other night. Al (team sponsor, Dr. Alan Crawford) showed us some break out plays and we did some passing drills and I think everyone got a lot out of it. It made a difference for us tonight against a pretty strong team."

Monday night's finale, a 2-2 tie between Source for Sports and Investors Group, was a thrill-filled game.

Investors' Laurie Terris stole the show between the pipes. Terris's solid play triggered an inspiring team effort to preserve a tie.

Ellen MacDougall ("MacDash") and Source's Stephanie Bean traded goals twice with MacDash striking first. Bean tied things up before the end of the first and then tied it again with 44 seconds remaining in the second frame.

Assisting on Bean's efforts were Heather Coutu, Jenny Sayers and Debbie Sacco. Debbie "Gunner" Gallagher assisted on both MacDash goals while Lisa Case and Ellen Ford had one helper each.

Following the game MacDash announced, "That game was the most fun I have ever had playing in the WHL!"

It seems that frigid temperatures bring out the best in all of us.

The tie extended Source for Sports' undefeated streak to four games, now with 2 wins and 2 ties. They skated to a 5-1 victory against Country Way Sunday making them the only team yet to be beaten in the nine-team league.

In Sunday's win, Lisa Venier led the way with two goals and an assist. Heather Coutu scored twice and Rhonda Crozier once while Stephanie Bean pitched in with two assists. Single assists went to Kim Chapman Donna May Sayers-Lariviere and Karen Gartshore.

Country Way's lone goal was an unassisted effort from Sue Chiblow.

Games continue this Sunday at 4pm and 5pm at McMeeken Arena and again Monday night beginning at 6:30pm at the Echo Bay Sportsplex.