Game Recap: Team CLE 1, Gilmour 1

We missed you Chuck!

Team CLE kicked off the season this afternoon with a 1-1 tie against the Gilmour Academy U19 girl's team.

After a first period controlled by Team CLE, Gilmour ended up getting on the board first, early in the second. Team CLE answered shortly after when Katie came out of the corner with the puck, and made a nifty pass across the crease to a patiently waiting Kristen, who tapped that baby home. The 1-1 score would hold the rest of the game, despite Gilmour's increased pressure in the third.

Some more highlights:

• We're still working on the team cheer. "1, 2, 3, TEAM C-L-E!" didn't sound quite right, so we moved to "1, 2, 3, C-L-E!" which sounded much less like we were singing a short team song before every period. "Go Hashtag-Team-C-L-E!" was immediately rejected (still waiting for an explanation). So, work in progress, although I think most are a fan of option #2. 
• The game was fun, fast and pretty physical. Neither goalie got tested much (although Allie was getting tested more and more in the third, and came up big). I didn't see the score sheet or anything, but I don't think there were lots of shots for either side. 
• There are way too many Katies on our team. 
• The Gilmour girls (available on Netflix!) definitely had the edge on us when it came to endurance. Team CLE, with only tryouts and one practice under our belts, is still working on shaking off the summer and getting back into hockey shape. The difference was most noticeable in the third period, despite our little break for an ice cut. 
• Team CLE was the smarter, more skilled team overall. Good situational awareness and two impressive power play lines. Of course, the game did end in a tie, so you know Gilmour Academy was bringing something too. 
• Our new jerseys look SHARP!

Again, it was a good game between two strong, fast teams. I'd love to see a rematch before the season's up. Best of luck to Gilmour this season, and we hope to meet you on the ice again!

In off-the-ice news, Team CLE is hosting a fundraising event next Saturday (October 18) at Around the Corner in Lakewood starting at 7 PM. I hear we'll be offering all-you-can-eat/drink beer, wings and pizza with some great raffle prizes, too. Find your favorite Team CLE team member for a discounted ticket, or pay $25 at the door. All proceeds go to our team (renting ice is reallllly expensive).

Go Team CLE/Blackhawks!

Weekend Preview: Team CLE at Gilmour U19

Pretty!

The Matchup: Team CLE vs Gilmour U19 on Sunday at 1:10 pm at Gilmour

Why it’s exciting: Gilmour is chock full of competitive girls who no doubt have played most their life, love hockey enough to play it at prep school, and want to take their game to the next level. These are some of the most fun people to play against, a reminder of how fun competitive hockey can be, and how fun it is to challenge yourself to do well every time you are on the ice.

Past Results: Last year the Twisters played Gilmour to a 3 all tie at Gilmour, early in the season. The game was early in both teams’ seasons so the outcome probably not too predictive of anything for this year. Gilmour appeared to have an edge in speed, and did a good job crashing the net for rebounds. They dominated time of possession with the puck but didn’t get a lot of cross ice movement happening. Kristen’s stick was on fire and I think she scored three goals. (Maybe? I’m working with a memory here).

This year: Both teams have improved since last year. Someone (I forget who) saw Gilmour play recently and said they looked quicker than last year. Team CLE had its first practice Sunday night and also looks to be icing a solid team once again.

Keys to success for Team CLE:

·        Short shifts. It’s early in the season. Those Gilmour girls are young. We are also young, but relative to the Gilmour girls, nope. Ok except maybe Audrey. Audrey is young.

·        Backchecking and communicating with D on the rush. If things are like last year, Gilmour will get inside the zone, shoot and crash the net, looking for rebound goals. This wouldn't even merit a mention except that most teams we play don't seem to crash the net too much, after a rush. Maybe it's a younger player thing? Either way, backchecking forwards will be key to clearing out rebounds and tying up Gilmour girls striding towards the net.

·        Patience. It’s super early. We’ve had but one official practice. Chuckie says her skates weren’t sharpened. Kristen’s stick was clearly broken that she was practicing with. There was a puck situation. We were/are just getting organized. We are ready, but you know how first games are. Might take a bit of perseverance, yes?

Here we go. We waited all summer for this. College hockey is a couple weeks into its season. The NHL kicked off this week, and on Sunday our season gets its start as well. Go Team CLE!