The Dinos women’s hockey team has not exactly had the hottest streak of wins this year. In fact, it has been somewhat of another disappointing year. However, things are beginning to look up like tourists beneath an erupting volcano.
Our ladies met the Mount Royal College Cougars Fri., Jan. 27. They proved to their doubtful fans that, though playoff hopes have been demolished, they definitely have something left in them.
They played like monkeys in captivity on Friday night, taking the Cougars by surprise. The Cougars were 10-3-2 going into the competition, while the Dinos sat at a meagre 1-15-0. If this wasn’t enough, Cougars are a predatory creature while Dinosaurs have been extinct for some 60 million odd years.
In any case, Krista Larson and Dianne Ikeda scored the first two goals of the game. In contrast to the usual course of events, these ladies were both dressed proudly as Dinos, giving our ladies a 2-0 lead.
As the first 20 minutes came to an end, the Cougars stepped it up and realized they’d have to bring their A game to bring this one home.
Kelsey Lund of MRC scored the only goal of the second period, proving that Cougars are not the type of lady you want to mess with. With the gap now down to one, it was anyone’s game.
Kirstin Johnston tied the game for the Cougars just over half way into the final frame. But instead of wetting their panties, the Dinos kept the pressure on. Veteran Jennifer Mansell snuck a puck past the Cougar tender with just under three minutes remaining in the game.
While three Dinos had their moment with a goal each, the true star was Natalie Gerstmar, the goalie. She took 40 shots for the evening and put 38 of them to bed.
This combined effort gave the Dinos their second win of the season, 3-2. Hopefully, they will continue to prove their skills as they face the Cougars again Sat., Feb. 4 at Centennial Arena at 8:30 p.m.