Women's Hockey League report

Five weeks of action are complete in Sault Ste. Marie's Women's Hockey League.

Source for Sports continues to remain the lone unbeaten team with record of four wins and three ties after a pair of wins last weekend. Source for Sports also knocked Algoma Insurance, who did not play, out of first place after three consecitive weeks at the top.

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

*** WEEK FIVE REPORT: By Lorie Springall

And the beat goes on...albeit quietly, for Source for Sports as they extended their unbeaten streak to 7 games and tip-toed into first place with a 4-0-3 record.

Sunday it was White Oak Paint's turn to try and topple the league leaders.

Bouncing back from two tough losses last week, White Oak lit up the board halfway through the first period to jump out to a 1-0 lead. It was short-lived however, as Lisa Venier tied things up a minute later and Stephanie Bean put Source up 2-1 before the end of the first.

A fearless effort from White Oak had Source for Sports on their heels but a timely goal by Donna May Sayers-Lariviere, her first of the season, gave The Source a 3-1 lead and the victory. Assists went to Karen Gartshore and Lisa Venier.

Scoring for White Oak Paint was Barb Willoughby with her first of the year from Tanya Dowding.

Sunday's other anticipated battle for first place between Algoma Insurance and Investors Group was postponed due to poor ice conditions at McMeeken. A Bon Soo event held earlier in the weekend ruined the ice behind both goal lines, rendering it unsafe. The game will be rescheduled.

In Monday night's action Source for Sports shut out Crawford's Canines 3-0. Karen Armstrong had a strong game in net, earning her second shut out of the season.

After a quick 1-0 lead, Source was forced to fend off a gallant effort from the Canines who had the game within reach until late in the third period when Lori Ballstadt's first goal of the season ruined the comeback attempt.

Lisa Venier had Source's other goals while Rhonda Crozier, Jenny Sayers, Debbie Sacco and Karen Gartshore each had one assist.

Country Way had a big 5-3 win against White Oak Paint, scoring three times in the third period to seal the deal.

The "Granolas" clung to leads of 2-1, 3-2 and 4-3 during the game as goalie Teri Bonnell out-lasted White Oak's tenacious efforts.

With only 17 seconds remaining in the third, rookie Tammy Vince scored her first goal of the season to give Country Way some breathing room and cause for an audible collective sigh of relief from their bench.

Vince also had one assist as did Trish Secondi. Joanne Pine had the winning goal and one assist. Sherry Boston scored twice while Francine (Flash) Floreani had a goal and an assist.

White Oak Paint's goals came from Lori (Big Bird) Bonnell with 2 and Julie Hodkinson. Lisa Rowlinson had the only assist.

Skip's Kweok skated to a convincing 4-1 win over Investors Group to give them three straight victories.

Pam Booth had another strong game with two goals and an assist. Amanda Fata kept her scoring streak alive, potting one and assisting on another. Mona Jones had a goal and an assist, Debbie (Digger) Desgagne had two assists while Tanya Thompson earned one. "Pick up goalie", Melissa Holder, was solid in goal for Skip's, beat only by Investors' Ellen (MacDash) MacDougall.

The win bumps Skip's into second place, one point ahead of Algoma Insurance; however, Algoma has two games in hand.

Once again the final game on Monday night proved to be a thrilling contest. Palmer Paving and Lafarge battled to a 3-3 tie in a spirited game filled with end to end action.

Palmer's Sandy Glibota opened the scoring with her first of the year finishing off a nice passing play from Suzanne Dunn. Robin Bourck answered for Lafarge with help from Patti Lutz before the end of the first period to knot the score at 1-1.

With 15 seconds left in the second frame, Glibota returned the favour, setting up Suzanne Dunn who snapped the deadlock with a low shot past Lafarge goalie, Nancy Dewling. Denise (Deeter) Goldade gave Palmer a two goal lead early in the third after a nifty passing play with Cathy Toni and Leah-Anne Pine.

Seven minutes later, Lafarge's Lutz and Bourck hooked up again, this time with Lutz finishing things off to make it 3-2. Geri Miller completed the comeback with just under two minutes remaining, wiring a shot past Melissa Holder after a beautiful feed from Bourck into the slot area. Both Dewling and Holder were outstanding between the pipes coming up with key saves at pivotal moments throughout the game. It was fitting to see neither of them dinged with a loss.

League play continues this Sunday at 4pm at McMeeken arena and 6:30pm Monday night in Echo Bay.

*** STANDINGS:

(As of January 31st)

(wins-losses-ties-points)

Source For Sports 4-0-3-11 Skip's Kweok 4-3-0-8 Algoma Insurance 3-1-1-7 Investors Group 3-2-1-7 Lafarge 3-2-1-7 Country Way 3-4-0-6 Palmer Paving 1-2-3-5 Crawford's Canines 1-4-2-4 White Oak Paint 1-5-1-3