Today I am riding a high off of hockey that I haven't felt after winning in a long time. Since coming to Gustavus, I am not sure I've ever been a part of an upset throughout my career. We generally are not the under dog, and if we are, I can't remember a time that we have won. Last night was different in beating the number one ranked team in the nation, Amherst.
The game started out really fast paced. We were not at all surprised at Amherst's talented group of skaters. Their team was also smart and played their positions well. We didn't necessarily come out slow, but there were times in the first period when we felt we were out-worked in our defensive zone especially. Our goalie, Danielle, fortunately was at the top of her game. I think we owe her a lot for making some amazing saves in that first period and keeping us in it. We had a great first period goal on the power play to put us ahead 1-0 at the end of the first period.
In the second period the game really swayed into our favor. We mentioned in the locker room before the period how important for us it was to just skate hard and use our speed. I heard my linemate, Mari, mention that if nothing else, we needed to use our feet and beat them to pucks. She said by moving our feet and just working hard, things will happen. And, she was right. Things did happen. We dominated the second period through pure work ethic. There were flurries of shots and opportunities that seemed to never stop in that period and I don't know if I've ever been so excited and proud of our team because of the way we worked in the second. We kept our composure and just continued to give 100% effort. Mari ended up getting our second period goal on a rebound and she really deserved it.
Going into the third period up 2-0 was a little surreal. It's not that I didn't expect us to be ahead. Instead, it felt a little like a dream that we were so calm and collected in understanding what we needed to do to win the final period and the game. We came out in the third period and continued working as hard as we could, knowing we could get the job done. When we won, it felt so good. We ended up winning 3-0 and took care of our business until the final buzzer.
After the game, the parents put on a meal for both teams and we ate sub sandwiches and fruit in the upper level of our athletic facility. We met some of the Amherst players and found out a good majority of them were from Minnesota, like our team. I can't say how nice it was to be hosting at our home ice and enjoy our friends and family after feeling so good about winning in our own rink.
Emotions were running so high after the game. I could really feel the happiness in every single one of my teammates when I saw them or exchanged a smile with them. Our team chemistry has been really growing in terms of how well we enjoy each others' company, and tonight seemed to solidify a stronger bond knowing how good it feels to accomplish something great together. I am not much of a touchy-feely kind of person, but this is how I feel about our team this year. I am just really happy to be a part of such a fun and passionate group of girls.
So, to make a long story short, the win was worth coming back to school early from Christmas break. Looking back, I guess it also wasn't so bad to have to bus to various rinks when our ice wasn't in. We spent a little extra time together and maybe that isn't a bad thing. Now that the ice is in, we really appreciate it. Maybe when it's all said and done, we'll have lots more success on our new temporary ice sheet.
I know I am excited to see what happens in this next month of hockey. We have a lot of tough games. I think my roommates and I counted eight tough games in a row counting Amherst. We will have to see where we are at by the end of the month. The win last night has definitely helped our confidence and I think we are continuing to improve. I know that I will definitely be excited to go to practice this next week.
The game started out really fast paced. We were not at all surprised at Amherst's talented group of skaters. Their team was also smart and played their positions well. We didn't necessarily come out slow, but there were times in the first period when we felt we were out-worked in our defensive zone especially. Our goalie, Danielle, fortunately was at the top of her game. I think we owe her a lot for making some amazing saves in that first period and keeping us in it. We had a great first period goal on the power play to put us ahead 1-0 at the end of the first period.
In the second period the game really swayed into our favor. We mentioned in the locker room before the period how important for us it was to just skate hard and use our speed. I heard my linemate, Mari, mention that if nothing else, we needed to use our feet and beat them to pucks. She said by moving our feet and just working hard, things will happen. And, she was right. Things did happen. We dominated the second period through pure work ethic. There were flurries of shots and opportunities that seemed to never stop in that period and I don't know if I've ever been so excited and proud of our team because of the way we worked in the second. We kept our composure and just continued to give 100% effort. Mari ended up getting our second period goal on a rebound and she really deserved it.
Going into the third period up 2-0 was a little surreal. It's not that I didn't expect us to be ahead. Instead, it felt a little like a dream that we were so calm and collected in understanding what we needed to do to win the final period and the game. We came out in the third period and continued working as hard as we could, knowing we could get the job done. When we won, it felt so good. We ended up winning 3-0 and took care of our business until the final buzzer.
After the game, the parents put on a meal for both teams and we ate sub sandwiches and fruit in the upper level of our athletic facility. We met some of the Amherst players and found out a good majority of them were from Minnesota, like our team. I can't say how nice it was to be hosting at our home ice and enjoy our friends and family after feeling so good about winning in our own rink.
Emotions were running so high after the game. I could really feel the happiness in every single one of my teammates when I saw them or exchanged a smile with them. Our team chemistry has been really growing in terms of how well we enjoy each others' company, and tonight seemed to solidify a stronger bond knowing how good it feels to accomplish something great together. I am not much of a touchy-feely kind of person, but this is how I feel about our team this year. I am just really happy to be a part of such a fun and passionate group of girls.
So, to make a long story short, the win was worth coming back to school early from Christmas break. Looking back, I guess it also wasn't so bad to have to bus to various rinks when our ice wasn't in. We spent a little extra time together and maybe that isn't a bad thing. Now that the ice is in, we really appreciate it. Maybe when it's all said and done, we'll have lots more success on our new temporary ice sheet.
I know I am excited to see what happens in this next month of hockey. We have a lot of tough games. I think my roommates and I counted eight tough games in a row counting Amherst. We will have to see where we are at by the end of the month. The win last night has definitely helped our confidence and I think we are continuing to improve. I know that I will definitely be excited to go to practice this next week.
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