Homer’s women’s hockey team, The Divas, headed to Palmer the for the first tournament of the year to challenge three teams for the C-cup title.
Anxious to see how they ranked against the big-town teams, they brought their best game with them. Their first game was against B. Bella from Palmer playing on their home ice. The Divas didn’t let that intimidate them, and took the lead first period and never let go.
Goalie Michelle Hatton had a fantastic game, stopping all shots on goal for a shutout. The final score of the game was 4-0 Divas, with goals scored by Jessie Cashman, Terry Larson, Ori Badajos and Andrea Stineff. Jessie Cashman earned MVP for her goal and two assists.
Game two matched the Divas with a much stonger team from Anchorage, MTA. The game was physical and the Divas were thrown off their game, losing 2-0.
Andrea Stineff was MVP for her endless shot attempts.
The final team the Divas battled was the Hockey Nuts from Anchorage. A lot was riding on this game, as the winner would go on to the championship game. Tension was high as both teams took the ice. The Divas started the game strong with a first period goal by Syverine Abrahmson and continued to dominate play for the remainder of the period, ending with goal by Cinda Martin.
Michelle Hatton continued to have strong tournament play by stopping dozens of shots on goal. Kristen Brown found the back of the net early in the second period but the Nuts retaliated with a lucky breakaway that ended in a goal to finish the period 3-1, Divas. The Divas held the Nuts at bay through the third period, and added one more goal by Andrea Stinneff to end the game 4-1 Divas and send them on to the championship game.
Kristen Brown was MVP.
The Divas met with MTA again for the C-cup title, determined to win. Goalie Michelle Hatton was on fire during first and second periods, stopping all shots from MTA, including four breakaways. During an offensive attack in the first period, Terry Larson connected with a rebound to get her second goal of the tournament and the only goal for the Divas in the championship game.
The Divas held the lead till the third period with MTA tied the score. The game then went into sudden death overtime, but neither team was able to score. Tournament rules stated the win would have to be decided on a shootout. The Divas had shooters Andrea Stineff, Hannah Johson, Kristen Brown, Leslie Slater and Emily Hutchison.
None of them were able to get one past the goalie, and MTA scored one goal, ending the game 2-1 MTA. Divas took the consolation prize and second place.
MVP was Hannah Johnson.
