It couldn’t have started worse for the PWHPA ‘All-Stars’ in Wesley Chapel, Florida on Thursday afternoon. Just 12:52 into the contest, the PWHPA found themselves chasing the score. They fell behind early, as Mateusz Wawrzkiewicz scored twice to give the Tampa Bay Juniors a 2-0 lead. That score was not indicative of the play, however. The rest of the game would be a more telling tale.
Abby Roque, Hayley Scamurra, Dani Cameranesi, Jincy Dunne and Nicole Schammel all lit the lamp in the second period, as the PWHPA stormed back and won 5-3 in their ‘Hub City Tampa’ opener.
Roque took a pass from Sydney Brodt, who collected the loose puck along the wall in the offensive end, and rifled a shot by Matt Garneau to get the PWHPA on the board 1:07 into the second period. From that point on, the PWHPA simply dominated.
Scamurra was hooked while trying to get to the slot, but still managed to perfectly place a backhander over the glove of Garneau to even the scoring at 4:58 of the period. That sent us to the ‘halftime’ intermission knotted a 2-2.
This exhibition was played by USPHL Premier Showcase rules. The game, as a result, was shortened from 60 minutes to 51 minutes. Each period was 17 minutes, and played as follows: 17 minute first period, 90 second break, 8:30 of the second period, ice cut, 8:30 of the second period, 90 second break, 17 minute third period. The remaining five games, all against NCDC opponents, will be played with normal rules (Three 20 minute periods, ice cut between each).
Following the break, the PWPHA went to their second powerplay of the afternoon. This one would give them a lead they never surrendered. Amanda Kessel won a footrace back into the defensive zone and turned up ice with the puck. After gaining the blueline, she fed an oncoming Cameranesi, who labelled a shot top shelf by Lane Skon. Skon, who is drawing attention from NCAA teams, played the second half.
Dunne scored the eventual game-winner on a one-timer from the blueline, while Schammel’s goal came with just seven seconds left in the frame.
Brittany Ott played a perfect third period, cementing the victory. She made eleven saves in her 17 minutes. Head Coach Bill Flanagan played all three goalies, starting Katie Burt. Nicole Hensley, who made seven saves on eight shots in the second period, was credited with the win.
The PWHPA continues their schedule on Friday morning when they take on the South Shore Kings of the USPHL’s NCDC Conference. The 9-9-1 Kings are 2-0-0 in the hub, and will be playing their third game in as many days. You can watch the game on HockeyTV.
BOX SCORE:
1st Period:
TBJ – M. Wawrzkiewicz (2) – K. Johnson (10) (2:20)
TBJ – M. Wawrzkiewicz (3) – unassisted (12:52)
2nd Period (1st Half):
PWHPA – A. Roque (1) – S. Brodt (1) (1:07)
PWHPA – H. Scamurra (1) – G. Marvin (1) (4:58)
2nd Period (2nd Half):
PWHPA – D. Cameranesi (1) – A. Kessel (1) (2:16, PP)
PWHPA – J. Dunne (1) – A. Kessel (2), K. Pannek (1) (6:19)
TBJ – S. Lucas (10) – M. Barrington (2), C. Reed (11) (8:10)
PWHPA – N. Schammel (1) – L. Stecklein (1), K. Flanagan (1) (8:23)
POWERPLAY:
TBJ – 0-for-1
PWHPA – 1-for-2 (Cameranesi)
GOALTENDING:
TBJ – M. Garneau – L (2 GA, 25:30 played) ; L. Skon (3 GA, 25:30 played)
PWHPA – K. Burt (11/13 saves, 17:00 played) ; N. Hensley (W, 7/8 saves, 17:00 played) ; B. Ott (11/11 saves, 17:00 played)
