SPS v. New Hampton for the Lakes Region Tournament title. It was expected to be a tight match up with both teams coming off convincing wins from the previous night. Both teams had revenge on their mind – New Hampton for an earlier season loss and the Big Red for New Hampton capturing the Tournament win last season in OT. The first period was exactly that; up and down, fast and physical as both sides gave their all. Defensively, both sides forced pucks wide and limited quality chances. The first chance real came with 4:30 to play when SPS gave up a 3 on 1 break to the Huskies. Big Red netminder
Paige MacPhee came up huge with the stop to keep the game even. Playing each shift as if it was their last, SPS played hard to the end. This mentality would pay off as with 10 seconds to play a
Grace White pass from the goal line to a spin around shot by
Maealie Glanzer that got through the New Hampton netminder.
Madeline Allen went hard for the loose puck and tucked it home; the momentum had swung in the Big Reds favor.
The second period was an odd one filled with numerous penalties; New Hampton taking 4 and the Big Red taking 1. New Hampton ironically had their best chance on the penalty kill; a breakaway from an offensive zone blueline turnover with 6:33 to play. It would be
Paige MacPhee again who would come up with the big save. Three minutes later, just at the conclusion of a power play,
Tess Mulkerron would slide a nice pass wide to
Chelsea Bell who would rifle the puck near side for the 2 – 0 lead.
The third period broke the game open for the Big Red. Three minutes in,
Tess Mulkerron roofed a rebound off a
Liza Demain one-timer from
Chelsea Bell. A minute later
Chelsea Bell would finish her second of the afternoon from the top of the right circle with the assist going to
Maealie Glanzer. While there was still plenty of time to play, the 4 – 0 lead had the Big Red feeling confident in their chances. Credit New Hampton for working hard to the final whistle. Also, high marks for the defensive zone play of SPS and the super goaltending of
Paige MacPhee (23 saves on the day) to close out the shutout. The final horn sounded and all that was left was the celebrations. Rector Giles presented the Lakes Region Tournament trophy to co-captains
Maggie Berleth,
Tess Mulkerron,
Chelsea Bell and
Jade Hill. Congrats to the entire team.
The Big Red finished their regular season with a record of 21 – 5 – 3. The most wins in a season since 2017, an undefeated month of February and the squad was undefeated at home this season. They also earned themselves a trip to the NEPSAC Elite 8 Tournament. The team should know on Sunday who and where they will be playing to continue their journey next Wednesday.
More to come.
Go Big Red!
