Loss, tie bring girls’ hockey team to 4-3-1

The Canton High girls’ hockey team finished the week with a 2-2 tie against Medway/Ashland and a difficult 4-3 loss to Norwood. The team’s season record now stands at 4-3-1.

In Saturday’s game against Medway, the two teams proved to be evenly matched and finished the first period in a 0-0 dead heat. At the end of the second, Canton pushed ahead 2-1 with both goals scored by junior Michelle McNeil. The Bulldogs were unable to keep their lead through the end of the game and gave up a second goal in the middle of the second period.

Coach Kelly Rider said that despite what the score said, Canton maintained control of the puck most of the game and out-shot Medway/Ashland 25-17.

“We just couldn’t bury some of the opportunities we had to score,” she said. “And Medway/Ashland was able to capitalize on a few breakdowns we had in our defensive zone.”

Going into Monday’s game against Norwood, the girls knew they would face steep competition. A perennial powerhouse, the Mustangs have been ranked one of the top five ice hockey teams in the state this entire season.

Norwood pulled ahead in the first period, scoring two goals, but Canton managed to stay in the game with a goal from junior Haley Gaughan. The Bulldogs couldn’t manage to usurp the lead in the second period, but added one more goal netted by sophomore Meaghan McKenna to bring the score to 3-2. Then, things got exciting in the third period. With a minute left in the game, Gaughan scored a second goal to tie the game. Norwood quickly answered Canton’s goal and scored its fourth with 11 seconds left to regain the lead.

“We definitely had chances,” Rider said of the game against Norwood. “Even when we seem to struggle, our work ethic seems to prevail, and we are always right in games no matter who our opponent is.”

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Posted by Jeffrey Cattel on Jan 20 2011. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.