2010 – 2011 News Archives
March 13, 2011
Former Staten Island high school standout skating for good cause
CommVault’s Hockey Helping Kids program began in 2000. To read this story, click on the following link: http://www.silive.com/southshore/index.ssf/2011/02/former_staten_island_high_scho.html
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March 8, 2011
MN Whitecaps at LPH Expo
Come on out to the Let’s Play Hockey Expo and visit the MN Whitecaps. Players will be on hand at various times though out the event to sign their player cards. Bring your camera and take your picture with your favorite Whitecaps player. Looking forward to seeing you all there!
The next Canadian and USA showdown in women’s ice hockey will again be on Canadian soil. The 2011 Clarkson Cup Playoffs will feature the top two teams from the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL) taking on the top team from the Western Women’s Hockey League (WWHL) which again this year is the Minnesota Whitecaps. Games are scheduled to be played at the Barrie Molson Center in Barrie, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The games are a round robin with the two top teams playing for the championship on Sunday. The schedule is listed below with the Championship game broadcasted on TSN. For Clarkson Cup Playoff Tickets please call Barrie Molson Center at 705-739-4220 ext 4617. Tickets Costs are: Thursday, Friday and Saturday $10.00, Sunday $15.00 or $25.00 for the weekend package.
| March 24th | Thursday | 12 noon and 6 pm |
| March 25th | Friday | 12 noon and 7 pm |
| March 26th | Saturday | 11 am and 3 pm |
| March 27th | Sunday | 1 pm Championship Game |
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March 8, 2011
MN Whitecaps out to retain Clarkson Cup
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February 28, 2011
Snow Storm Traps Whitecaps in Edmonton after Successful Weekend vs. the Chimos
Over the weekend of February 18-20th the Minnesota Whitecaps travelled to Edmonton to take on the Chimos in a three game series. A couple weeks after clinching the Western Women’s Hockey League (WWHL) title and securing a spot in the 2011 Clarkson Cup playoffs, the Whitecaps saw their 15 game winning streak come to an end. The Whitecaps battled hard but came up on the short end of a 3-2 overtime loss. The game started out slow with the Chimos scoring in the middle of the first period, and that was about all of the action for two periods. In the third period the game started to get interesting as the Whitecaps came to life. In the middle of the period Allie Thunstrom took a penalty. After successfully killing the penalty Thunstrom jumped out of the box and was wide open as Meaghan Pezon hit her with a breakaway pass. Thunstrom faked backhand and slipped the puck forehand past the Chimos goalie, making it 1-1. The Chimos were the next to strike, when they got the puck past Whitecaps goaltender Megan Van Beusekom-Sweerin late in the third period. Fortunately for the Whitecaps Winny Brodt-Brown struck back. After a scrum on the sideboards Jenny Potter gathered a loose puck near the blue line and fed Winny Brodt-Brown across the ice. With lots of commotion in front of the net Winny Brodt-Brown took a simple wrist shot that found its way between the arms of the Chimos goalie for a 2-2 tie. After the late game tying goal, the Whitecaps and Chimos were headed into overtime for the second time this season. Unlike the game at Pagel Ice Arena in Minnetonka Minnesota the Chimos came out on the winning end of this overtime after a three on two rush ended up in the back of the Whitecaps net. Likely for the Whitecaps they had two more games during the series to get back at the Chimos.
Game two on Saturday was played at the Leduc Rec Center and saw a similar type game, with skill and passion being put on display to entertain the large Leduc crowd. Much like the first game the Chimos struck first. Unlike the first game, the Whitecaps were quick to respond. After putting on tons of pressure in the offensive zone Jenny Potter threw a shot at the net. After deflecting off everything in its way, the puck found bounced off a Chimos defender and into the back of the net. Earning assists on the play were Allie Thunstrom and Sammy Nixon. The game didn’t stay tied 1-1 long, and shortly before the end of the second period the Whitecaps continued to apply pressure on the Chimos defense, resulting in the game winning goal scored by Whitecaps Amy Stech. Megan McCarthy fed the puck to Gigi Marvin who put a hard shot on net. The rebound came right to Amy Stech’s stick and she made no mistake putting the rebound into the upper corner. The game would end in a 2-1 win for the Whitecaps, with both goalies Megan Van Beusekom-Sweerin and Sanya Sandahl splitting time in the net.
After game two the Whitecaps enjoyed a night out as they celebrated winning the WWHL for the second year in a row. Shortly after dinner the Whitecaps found out they would not be returning to Minnesota as planned. The snow storm of Presidents day prevented them from returning home. The Whitecaps were stuck in Canada! Before they could figure out how they were going to get home the players needed to get to bed because they have a game bright and early the next day. The reality of being stuck in Edmonton for one more day would feel a lot better after a win!
Seven o’clock the next morning came really early, but the Whitecaps were ready to go. For the first time all weekend the Whitecaps struck first. Gigi Marvin caught a beautiful pass from Kelli Blankenship and dangled around a defender putting the puck top shelf. The lead held up until half way through the second period when the Chimos finally got their first goal of the weekend on Sanya Sandahl. The tied 1-1 game was short lived as Jenny Potter fought her way through every hook, slash, and trip the Chimos could throw at her. Before finally being brought down Jenny Potter found Meaghan Pezon in the slot and she put the puck over the goalies glove giving the Whitecaps the lead for good. Sanya Sandahl stood tall as the Chimos pulled their goalie, and the Whitecaps concluded the weekend with a 2 – 1 record. It is on to the Clarkson Cup Finals for the Whitecaps if they can find a way home from Canada.
Back at the hotel the Whitecaps got a call saying they would be retuning the United States 24 hours later then they had originally planned! The Whitecaps took that extra time to go to the West Edmonton mall. At the mall they took in an Atom (nine and ten year olds) hockey game between Edmonton and Strathmore, before going to the movies! The extra time in Canada was worth it. It was a great trip!
The Whitecaps will be heading back to Canada on March 23rd for a road trip to Toronto for the Clarkson Cup Finals which will be held March 24th through the 27th! The Whitecaps are the defending Clarkson Cup champions and look to bring the Cup home for the second time in two years!
Come cheer on the Whitecaps before the Clarkson Cup Finals at the 2011 Lets Play Hockey Expo at the River Center in St. Paul. Come get autographed player cards from some of your favorite players, take some pictures with them, and get to see the cup! Looking forward to seeing you all there!
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February 19, 2011
The Minnesota Whitecaps and Chasks/Chanhassen Hockey Association (CCHA) Partnered in the Spirit of Giving
The Minnesota Whitecaps provided CCHA an opportunity to help support their community’s local food shelf this holiday season by offering free admission with a donation of a non-perishable food item to their December 9 game against the Edmonton Chimos.
The Minnesota Whitecaps demonstrated their elite hockey talents by beating the Canadian team soundly with a score of 5-2 and CCHA collected over 560 lbs in non-perishable food items.
The CCHA U12A and U10A teams, along with Winny Brodt-Brown of the Minnesota Whitecaps delivered the items to the CAP Agency located in Chaska the week before Christmas. This agency supports upwards to 400 families in the Carver, Chanhassen, Chaska, and Victoria area.
The Minnesota Whitecaps are a non-profit elite national level women’s hockey organization with an associate membership in the Western Women’s Hockey League (WWHL). The league consists of teams from Canada and Minnesota. The Minnesota Whitecaps were WWHL Champions in 2008 and 2009 and also won the Clarkson Cup Championship in 2010.
The Minnesota Whitecaps are committed to the female game of hockey and as mentors and role models to the girls’ youth and high school players in their communities.
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February 7, 2011
Whitecaps Sweep Rockies at Last Home Series
Whitecaps last home series took place this weekend with the first game held at Victory Memorial Ice Arena. Plenty of food was on hand from various local eateries as the Whitecaps put on a clinic for the Novas youth girls teams. Beginning the game was a special treat from the Washburn High School Varsity Choir singing both the Canadian and American National Anthems. The fans were fantastic as they packed the house. The Whitecaps were fired up scoring on the first shift forty seconds after the puck dropped when Whitecaps forward Sammy Nixon found the net with the assist from Jenny Potter. Next on the power play Whitecaps defender Allie Thunstrom pounded one in with the help from a pass from Megan McCarthy. Halfway through the first period Whitecaps forward Jenny Potter hit a low glove side shot after a pass came from Allie Thunstrom. Just before the first period ended Jenny Potter passed it up to Meaghan Pezon who weaved through several Rockies to back hand in the 4th goal for the Whitecaps. Second period began again with the Whitecaps taking it to the Rockies as Allie Thunstrom sliced in a goal with the pass coming from Jenny Potter. Next Gigi Marvin found the back of the net with assists going to Meaghan Pezon and Winny Brodt-Brown. The Rockies found their stride as Strathmore’s Bobbi-Jo Slusar sneaked one in low on the pad side. Again the Rockies got on the score board with a quick goal from Tonya Faasse. Whitecaps got back on track when Jenny Potter flipped one in with assists from Allie Sanchez and Chelsey Brodt-Rosenthal. Ten seconds later Jenny Potter did it again backhanding it past Strathmore goaltender Carli Clemis with passes from Sammy Nixon and Winny Brodt-Brown. Second period ended with the score of 8-2 Whitecaps. Third period had a few less penalties but was still rough. Amy Stech made a pass to Jenny Potter entering the zone where she hit the net top shelf. The Whitecaps found themselves shorthanded as Meaghan Pezon found Gigi Marvin who took the advantage when she blasted past several Strathmore defenders to hit the net on the pad side. Toward the end of the game Gigi Marvin chipped in a power play goal taking a pass from Jenny Potter ending the game giving the Whitecaps a 11-0 win over the Rockies. Shots for the game were 53 for the Whitecaps and 28 for the Rockies. Kim Hanlon was the winning goalie for Minnesota.
This was a weekend for record number of female youth hockey players attending the Whitecaps hockey clinic. Seventy eight girls showed up for Saturday’s game at Fogarty Ice Arena to first attend the on ice clinic. From the clinic they poured into the stands to give the Whitecaps their second weekend game with standing room only attendance. The energy was electric in the building as the game got underway at 7:00 pm. The lone goal in the first period came from Gigi Marvin when she sliced in a shot off the rebound that was deflected from Meaghan Pezon’s shot from the point. At the intermission Blaine and Spring Lake Park youth teams took the ice for a short scrimmage. Half way through the second period Gigi Marvin did it again taking a shot off the rebound this time deflected from a shot from Amy Stech. Just a minute later Goalie Megan Van Beusekom-Sweerin stopped a puck for Jenny Potter who hit Sammy Nixon on the far blue line for an outlet where she let it rip from the top of the circle. Whitecaps were on a power play as Jenny Schnickel took a slap shot; Amy Stech picked up the deflection and backhanded it in ending the second period with goal number 4 for the Whitecaps. Five minutes into the third period Jenny Potter takes a pass from Sammy Nixon and goes in on a breakaway blasting in low stick side past Strathmore goaltender Lundy Day.. With four minutes left in the game Meaghan Pezon stepped up to intercept a pass from Allie Sanchez and took it end to end for the top shelf goal. In the last minute of play Kelli Blankenship found Sammy Nixon who drew in the Strathmore defender, seeing Blankenship wide open made a nice heads up pass to Kelli Blankenship who pounded it into the back of the net finishing the game with the score 7-0 in favor of the Whitecaps. Shot for the game were 52 to 22 giving the shut out to Whitecaps goaltender Megan Van Beusekom-Sweerin.
Graham Arena in Rochester was the site of Sunday’s game three. Despite Super Bowl Sunday, Dodge County Hockey hosted another attendace record setting clinic and game. Ninety four female youth hockey players came out for the clinic and they all stayed for the game. In between periods some of the youngest girl’s teams played a short scrimmage and then stayed after the game for a long line of player autographs. The game got underway at 12:30 pm after the Canadian and American national anthems were sung by Dodge County Girls High School player Brianna Westrom and Kasson Mantorville High School student Shannon Underwood. No goals were scored in the first period. Second period was another story. Right out of the shoot Whitecaps forward Allie Thunstrom found Jenny Potter with a perfect pass who one timed it in down low for the first goal of the game. A few minutes later Whitecaps defender Amy Stech passed to Allie Sanchez who’s slap shot was tipped in by Gigi Marvin. Toward the end of the period Allie Thunstrom found Sammy Nixon in the slot who chipped it in on the glove side. One more goal for the period for the Whitecaps when Kelli Blankenship found Gigi Marvin who backhanded in a high over the shoulder shot giving the Whitecaps a 4-0 lead. The game went to a higher level the third period as the roughing, scoring and pace picked up. Starting off the period was Whitecaps center Jenny Potter finding Allie Thunstrom with the outlet pass who found Sammy Nixon approaching the net who scored with a quick snap shot through the traffic in front of the net. Strathmore stepped up to make it on the score board with a goal from Raylene Cutknife. Halfway through the period Whitecaps scored their 6th goal as Gigi Marvin’s perfect pass made it to Allie Sanchez who blasted it into the net. At the seven minute mark Gigi Marvin picked off a Strathmore pass and rushed down the ice for an unassisted upper shelf snap shot goal. As Strathmore’s frustration mounted the body checking picked up giving Strathmore a push for one more goal from forward Bobbi-Jo Slusar giving Strathmore 2 goals for the game. Under two minutes left to play Sammy Nixon took the puck into the zone finding Meaghan Pezon for the final goal of the game leaving the score at 8-2 for a Whitecaps sweep over the Rockies.
The Minnesota Whitecaps travel to Edmonton on Feb 18th for their last three game series of the regular season. This series will determine the Western Women’s Hockey League Champion. Next the Whitecaps will prepare to defend their International Championship title at the 2011 Clarkson Cup to be held just north of Toronto in Barrie, Ontario from March 24-27th with the Championship game to be broadcast at 1:00 pm eastern time on TSN.
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January 31, 2011
Whitecaps Take it to Strathmore
Last weekend the Whitecaps traveled to Strathmore Alberta Canada to play the Rockies in a three game series. Game one and two were held at the Strathmore Family Center with plenty of fans in the stands. The game started off with Gigi Marvin scoring an unassisted goal while the Whitecaps were shorthanded. Scoring next for the Whitecaps was Meaghan Pezon with assists from Briana Jentner and Winny Brodt. Strathmore scored the next two goals at the beginning of the second period. From the power play Whitecaps forward Megan McCarthy scored the go ahead goal from Marvin and Jentner. Toward the end of the game the Whitecaps went on another power play where Marvin scored with an assist going to Allie Thunstrom. With 9 seconds left in the second period Pezon scored a shorthanded goal ending the second period Whitecaps up 5-2. Starting the third period Strathmore scores their third and final goal of the game while Marvin, Stech and Thunstrom rack up 3 more goals for the Whitecaps leaving the score Whitecaps 8, Rockies 3. Shots on goal were 50 against Rockies goaltender Amanda Squire and 21 against Whitecaps goaltender Sanya Sandahl.
Strathmore came out in a defensive mode in game two keeping the Whitecaps to one goal in the first period. Capitalizing on Strathmore’s four first period penalties Christina Lee sliced in a power play goal from a pass by Allie Thunstrom and Allie Sanchez. Starting the second period up by 1 goal Whitecaps Gigi Marvin scored a shorthanded goal with the assist going to goaltender Kim Hanlon. Four minutes later Whitecaps Allie Thunstrom found the back of the net after catching a pass from Chelsey Brodt and Allie Sanchez. Strathmore answered back with a quick goal from Jamie Teichman getting Strathmore on the board. Less than twenty seconds later Whitecaps forward Amy Stech pounded one in giving the lone assist to Megan McCarthy. It was time for the Whitecaps defense to get into the scoring action on the power play as Allie Sanchez found the inside post with assists going to Meaghan Pezon and Kelli Blankenship. Strathmore had a turn for a power play which twas a scoring opportunity for Tonya Faasee leaving the score at the end of the second period as Whitecaps 5 and Strathmore 2. Strathmore jumped out strong for the first goal of the period from Kelsey Webster. Third period play was riddled with penalties as the Whitecaps Allie Thunstrom capitalized on another power play goal with assists going to Briana Jentner and Gigi Marvin ending the game with the final score of Whitecaps 6 Strathmore 3. Shots for the game were 43 on Strathmore goalie Carli Clemis and 37 on Whitecaps goalie Kim Hanlon.
Sunday’s game was bright and early in the morning at 8:30 am at the Edge School Ice Arena. Strathmore scored first five minutes into the game with a goal from Tonya Faasse. Just a minute later Whitecaps Megan McCarthy taped one in with the assist going to Amy Stech. Half way through the game Whitecaps Amy Stech’s slapshot hit the back post with assists going to Meaghan Pezon and Megan McCarthy. Strathmore tied it up 2 a piece with their next goal from forward Taryn Peacock. Two minutes left in the period Gigi Marvin finessed her way to an unassisted goal ending the period with the Whitecaps up 3-2. At the beginning of the second period the Whitecaps came out strong with Allie Sanchez hammering one in giving the assist to Gigi Marvin. Less than a minute later Gig Marvin found the back of the net after the cross ice pass from Christina Lee and Allie Thunstrom. Rockies forward Michelle Glendining scored at the end of the second period giving Strathmore their third goal of the game. The third period started with the Whitecaps up 5 to 3 and they were ready to put this game away. Gigi Marvin’s speed and agility found her another shorthanded goal which was her third for the series. Shots were firing from the Whitecaps and at the 7 minute mark Allie Thunstrom caught a pass from Gigi Marvin and Kelli Blankenship and whipped it into the net giving the Whitecaps a 7-3 lead. Twenty seconds later Blankenship found Thunstrom who sneaked one in. Minnesota was still firing on all cylanders when Sanchez fired one in giving assists to Marvin and Chelsey Brodt ending the game giving with the final score of Whitecaps 9 and Strathmore 3. Shots on the Rockies goaltender Carli Clemis were 51 and shots on Whitecaps goaltender Sanya Sandahl were 39.
Next up for the Whitecaps is the home series with the Strathmore Rockies. Friday, Feb 4, 7:00 pm at Victory Memorial Ice Arena. Sat, Feb 5, 7:00 pm at Fogarty Ice Arena and Sun, Feb 6, 12:30 pm at Graham Arena in Rochester. Whitecaps t-shirts will be available and the players will be available for autographs after each of the games.
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January 17, 2011
Icebreaker tournament brings Whitecaps to the Heritage Center
Saturday, January 15th at one of the largest female youth hockey tournaments the Whitecaps took on the Manitoba Maple Leafs in a battle of the boarder game. The tournament festivities started out for the Whitecaps players early on Saturday morning working with St. Luke’s Orthopedics & Sports Medicine training tournament participants how to exercise using proper techniques. Jenny Potter was on hand to train the first group on the importance of stretching and flexibility, and brought along her four Olympic medals to share with the youth. Sanya Sandahl and Britt Ralph taught upper body strength with bands along with core stability exercises on the mats. Kelly Blankenship worked with the groups on the proper way to do a squat and lunge and Amy Stech taught how to improve skating techniques by using a band. Each participant went home with a Thera-Band along with a handout on the exercises. The clinics went all day until 4:30, just an hour before warm ups for their game. A local high school band was there to entertain the crowd and create a festive environment. Plenty of youth teams were on hand to watch the game and several teams made signs to inspire their favorite players. The puck dropped at 6:00 pm with native Duluth standout Amy Stech scoring first for the Minnesota Whitecaps with assists going to Jenny Potter and Allie Sanchez. Whitecaps scored again half way through the first period by Briana Jentner’s quick release and fast pass from Gigi Marvin. The second period began with the Whitecaps up 2-0 which was soon to change. Manitoba started the period strong with a goal in the first minute of play with an unassisted goal from Crystal Sager. At the 10 minute mark Allie Thunstrom jetted up the ice receiving a pass from Stech and Potter to give the Whitecaps a 3-1 lead. Two minutes later Manitoba answered back with a high post shot by Chantal Larocque from Melissa Palma. Toward the end of the second period Manitoba found the back of the net again with another goal from Chantal Larocque with assists from Crystal Sager and Melissa Jacques making this a riveting game ending the second period with the score tied 3-3. Conditioning came in to play in the third period. With Manitoba’s short bench and long drive to Duluth that day, they could not continue to keep up with the Whitecaps fast pace. The Whitecaps came out strong with the first goal of the third period by Amy Stech with assists from Jenny Potter and Winny Brodt-Brown. Two minutes later Whitecaps Allie Sanchez took a pass from Megan McCarthy and Jenny Potter to score a power shot giving the Whitecaps a 5-3 lead. Up next on the score board was Whitecaps Allie Thunstrom who accepted a perfect pass from Chelsey Brodt-Rosenthal and sliced it into the back of the net. Not to be denied was Whitecaps Meaghan Pezon, taking a tape to tape pass from Gigi Marvin she deaked the Maple Leafs goalie Melissa Kanzelman for a sweet goal. Manitoba found some room and Crystal Sager took it to the net after accepting the pass from Larocque and Britt Ralph. Using her speed and finesse Thunstrom again received a precise pass from McCarthy and Potter bringing the game score to 8-4 Whitecaps. Allie Thunstrom found Briana Jentner up ice who took it to the net again and with her strong tenacity drove in another goal for the Whitecaps. One more goal for Thunstrom to give her a hat trick for the game came at the six minute mark of the game leaving the score at 10-4 Whitecaps. The remainder of the game continued to be back and forth with most of the shots heading toward the Maple Leafs goalie. Just before the buzzer Manitoba’s Melissa Jacques sneaked one in on Whitecaps goalie and Duluth native Sanya Sandahl ending the game with the score of 10 –5 Whitecaps. Shots for the game on the Maple Leafs were 51 to 22 shots on the Whitecaps. After the game the Icebreakers held a raffle for several items including signed Whitecaps and Maple Leafs jerseys. A meet and greet with autograph signing took place at the Clyde restaurant next door to the Heritage Center.
Whitecaps take to the road next weekend January 21, 22 and 23 when they travel to Strathmore Alberta to take on the Strathmore Rockies. Watch for updates and scores in the local papers and on the Whitecaps twitter and facebook fan page. Next home series is Feb 4, 7:00 pm at VMIA, Feb 5, 7:00 pm at Fogarty Arena, and Feb 6, 12:30 pm at Graham Arena in Rochester.
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December 08, 2010
Whitecaps Sweep Chimos in Three Game Home Series
The Friday, December 3rd rush hour snow storm hit the twin cities just as the Edmonton Chimos and Minnesota Whitecaps headed out to their first game of the weekend at the Andover Ice Arena. A youth clinic started off the event along with raffles for Whitecaps signed hockey sticks and t-shirts. The game time was pushed back just a bit but it was well worth the wait. Edmonton jumped out in front quickly scoring just four minutes into the first period by Chimos captain and Yale graduate, Erin Duggan. The Whitecaps evened the score toward the end of the period with a goal from USA National team member Gigi Marvin with assists from Russian National team member Iya Gavrilova and Allie Thunstrom. The 1-1 start to the second period lasted only 1 minute when Edmonton’s Lindsay Robinson sliced one past Whitecaps goaltender Sanya Sandahl. Whitecaps and St. Cloud Husky graduate, Sam Nixon answered back within minutes with her quick shot from the slot after catching perfect pass’ from Jenny Potter and Jenny Schnickel. At the 4:00 minute mark of the second period, USA National team member Allie Thunstrom at full speed caught a pass from Sam Nixon blew past the Edmonton players ending the second period with the go ahead goal of the game. Starting the Third period Thunstrom found her mark again after accepting a pass from USA National team member Jenny Potter giving the Whitecaps a 2 point lead. Half way through the third period, Chimos and Canadian National team member Meaghan Mikkelson scored an unassisted goal to finish the game with the Whitecaps wining 4-3 over Edmonton.
Minnetonka’s Pagel Arena was a smorgasbord of hockey games on Saturday, December 4th. After both Minnetonka High School girls and boys JV and varsity games was the prime time game of Minnesota Whitecaps vs. Edmonton Chimos. Many girls’ high school games had ended for the weekend, girls from various surrounding teams gathered at Pagel Ice Arena. Along with the fans came donations of nonperishable food items for the ICA Food Shelf. The puck dropped promptly at 7:30 pm with both teams hitting the ice with a full head of steam. Edmonton goalie, Keely Brown shut down the Whitecaps offense in the first period as did Whitecaps goalie Megan Van Beusekom-Sweerin. Second period proved to be another story as Ohio State graduate Colleen Olson took a pass from Yale graduate Erin Duggan for the first goal of the game. After a Chimos penalty, Whitecaps Gigi Marvin went end to end for an unassisted goal to tie up the game 1-1. Less than a minute later Whitecaps and Gopher graduate, Winny Brodt-Brown found the back of the net with an assist from Mankato graduate Christina Lee. Whitecaps head into the third period up one goal which was short lived as Edmonton’s Jennifer Moe pounded one in for a 2-2 tie. Within the next two minutes, Whitecaps Sam Nixon maneuvers around to find a low glove side hole to again give the Whitecaps the lead. Heading into the last four minutes of play in the game Edmonton’s four line roster seems to have a second wind. Chimos Colleen Olson finds a pass from assistant captain Courtney Sawchuk and with three minutes on the game clock whips one in to tie the game 3-3. Whitecaps tried hard to gain another goal but overtime was inevitable. WWHL Overtime rules call for a 5 minute sudden victory, 4 on 4 immediate following the third period. If the tie remains after the 5 minute overtime period, teams will proceed to a shootout initially with 3 shooters with the most goals scored wins. If no goals the shoot out proceeds until a winner is determined. The Whitecaps decided to shoot second so to start off the shoot out was Chimos Meaghan Mikkelson followed by Whitecaps Jenny Potter of which both were denied. Second phase began with Chimos Colleen Olson followed by Whitecaps Gigi Marvin. Again both were denied. Third wave came with Edmonton’s Erin Duggan followed by Minnesota’s Allie Thunstrom. Once again they were stuffed by both world renowned goalies. On to the fourth wave was first Chimos Laura Dostaler which was saved by Van Beusekom’s glove. Whitecaps sniper Meaghan Pezon came right down the center of the slot and shot a fast wrist shot just below the cross bar to win the game for the Whitecaps 4-3.
Game three was another opportunity to raise awareness and donations for the local Chaska area food shelf and Toys-For-Tots. Many of the CCHA girls youth teams came dressed in their jerseys bringing toys and food along with their hockey gear in order for them to scrimmage each other between periods. Sunday’s noon game time was found to be advantages to the Minnesota Whitecaps. Right out of the shoot Whitecaps Winny Brodt-Brown received a pass from Sam Nixon to slide it just under the goalie pad. Five minutes later Edmonton’s Laura Dostaler found the upper right corner of the net to tie the game 1-1. Whitecaps Iya Gavrilova drove end to end blasting to the net to put the Whitecaps up a goal. Just under the two minute mark Chimos Taylor Williamson pounded one past Whitecaps goaltender Kim Hanlon to go into the second period with the game tied at 2-2. Lots of near misses riddled the second period with only one goal from Whitecap’s Sam Nixon to make it into the net giving the Whitecaps a 3-2 lead. The third period was all Whitecaps. Jenny Potter found the net after precision passes from Iya Gavrilova and Amy Stech. The same line created another goal with three minutes on the game clock as Amy Stech accepted a pass from Jenny Potter and Iya Gavrilova ending the game with the Whitecaps up 5-2 over the Chimos. After the game the players from both teams signed autographs and the Whitecaps players met with the youth girls from CCHA for an on ice clinic.
Another Whitecaps autograph event will take place in December. Whitecaps players including Jenny Schnickel and Brianna Jentner will be at the Hockey Giant in Bloomington from 2-5pm Saturday, December 11th to sign autographs, talk with fans, and will have Whitecaps t-shirts and player cards.
The next opportunity to see the Whitecaps play in Minnesota will be on January 15th at 6:00 pm at the Duluth Heritage Center.
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November 29, 2010
Youth Hockey Associations set to collect food and toys at Whitecaps games
The holiday season is the time of year that brings out a giving spirit. This is true for several youth hockey associations hosting Whitecaps games this weekend as they are looking to collect food and toys for local charities. Minnetonka Youth Hockey is working with ICA to collect food for their local food shelf and will be collecting nonperishable food at this Saturday’s Whitecaps game. Chaska Youth Hockey is also working with their local food shelf asking for canned goods or a donation for the Toys for Tots program instead of purchasing a ticket to gain entrance to the Whitecaps game on Sunday, December 5th.
Andover Girls High School Hockey will host the Friday, December 3rd game where they will be holding frequent raffles of signed hockey sticks and shirts as well as a chuck-a-puck between periods. All games will hold autograph sessions after the game and provide clinics to the host youth hockey teams.
Meet us at the rink and watch the Edmonton Chimos rivalry unfold on Friday, December 3 the puck drops at 7:00 pm at the Andover Ice Arena. Minnetonka Pagel Arena hosts the Whitecaps on Saturday December 4 with the game time beginning at 7:00 pm. Sunday, December 5 the Whitecaps will be playing at Chaska Community Center at 12:00 noon.
Another Whitecaps autograph event will take place in December. Whitecaps players including Jenny Schnickel and Brianna Jentner will be at the Hockey Giant in Bloomington from 2-5pm Saturday, December 11th to sign autographs, talk with fans, and will have Whitecaps t-shirts and player cards.
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November 22, 2010
Whitecaps host Chimos first weekend in December
The Edmonton Chimos, the longest run senior women’s hockey team in North America, will be arriving in Minnesota with their next generation of female hockey players. Edmonton is currently second place in the WWHL league standings behind the reigning league champions Minnesota Whitecaps. The match up includes rival players from USA Hockey Women’s National Team and Hockey Canada Women’s National Team. Now that both national teams are back from the Four Nations Cup their players venture back to their homes to rejoin their league teams as league play resumes. The Western Women’s Hockey League teams are located in the west and mid western parts of both the United States and Canada. Since 2004 the Edmonton Chimos and Minnesota Whitecaps have been solid organizations holding the WWHL together. As long standing rivals this upcoming series will be intense.
Players from both teams are acquainted with each other from not only playing against each other in the WWHL and national programs but from playing together and against each other at the university level. Many of the Chimos players have played in the United States on Division I women’s hockey teams. To name a few: Meaghan Mikkelson played at the University of Wisconsin and is on Team Canada, Mia Mucci played at Northeastern, Erin Dugan skated for Yale University, and Britney Millar and Jen Jefrey both played at Mercyhurst College.
Meet us at the rink and watch the Edmonton rivalry unfold on Friday, December 3 the puck drops at 7:00 pm at the Andover Ice Arena. Minnetonka Pagel Arena hosts the Whitecaps on Saturday December 4 with the game time beginning at 7:00 pm. Sunday, December 5 the Whitecaps will be playing at Chaska Community Center at 12:00 noon.
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November 17, 2010
Whitecaps represented at 2010 Four Nations Cup
St. John’s Newfoundland, Canada was the site of the 2010 Four Nations Cup. Canada, USA, Sweden and Finland’s Women’s National teams took the ice last week for the first time since the Winter Olympics in Vancouver Canada. These teams make up the top four teams in the world. Members from the Western Women’s Hockey League (WWHL) were well represented from several teams including the Minnesota Whitecaps, Edmonton Chimos and Strathmore Rockies. US Women’s Select team was captained by Whitecaps Jenny Potter and newcomer to the US team is Whitecaps Allie Thunstrom.
| 12 | Meaghan Mikkelson * | 5’9 | 01/01/1985 | St. Albert, Alta. | Edmonton Chimos (WWHL) |
| 18 | Bobbi Jo Slusar | 5’4 | 06/06/1985 | Swift Currt, Sask. | Strathmore Rockies (WWHL) |
| 22 | Saara Tuominen | 5’6 | 01/01/1986 | Ylöjärvi, FIN | Minnesota Whitecaps (WWHL) |
| 25 | Allie Thunstrom | 5’5 | 04/20/1988 | Maplewood, MN | Minnesota Whitecaps (WWHL) |
| 12 | Jenny Potter | 5’4 | 01/12/1979 | Edina, MN | Minnesota Whitecaps (WWHL) |
Former WWHL and Minnesota Whitecaps players also participated in the 2010 Four Nations Cup.
| 13 | Julie Chu | 5’8 | 03/13/1982 | Fairfield, CT | USA Hockey |
| 27 | Jinelle Zaugg-Siergiej | 6’0 | 04/20/1988 | Eagle River, WI | USA Hockey |
| 8 | Caitlin Cahow | 5’4 | 05/20/1985 | Branford, CT | USA Hockey |
| 9 | Molly Engstrom | 5’9 | 03/01/1983 | Siren, WI | USA Hockey |
| 13 | Caroline Ouellette * | 5’11 | 05/25/1979 | Montreal, CAN | Team Canada |
Former WWHL and Calgary X-Treme players on Team Canada.
| 22 | Hayley Wickenheiser | 5’10 | 08/12/1978 | Shaunavon, Sask. | Team Canada |
| 7 | Cherie Piper * | 5’6 | 06/29/1981 | Markham, Ont. | Team Canada |
| 3 | Jocelyne Larocque | 5’6 | 05/19/1988 | Ste. Anne, Man. | Team Canada |
The U.S. Women’s Select Team was defeated by Canada, 3-2, on a power-play goal in overtime of the championship game. Team USA finished the tournament with a 2-1-1-0 record.
All national team players are back to their prospective teams and are ready to continue with league play. Up next for the Whitecaps is a three game series with the Edmonton Chimos. Friday, December 3 the puck drops at 7:00 pm at the Andover Ice Arena. Minnetonka Pagel Arena hosts the Whitecaps on Saturday December 4 with the game time beginning at 7:00 pm. Sunday, December 5 the Whitecaps will be playing at Chaska Community Center at 12:00 noon.
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October 27, 2010
Whitecaps win United States Hockey Hall of Fame Museum’s Women’s Face-Off Classic
If you haven’t been to Eveleth, Minnesota to visit the United States Hall of Fame Museum (USHHFM) lately you are missing a fantastic experience. Before the USHHFM’s Women’s Face-Off Classic game Friday night, both the Bemidji and Whitecaps teams were invited in to the museum to stroll around the 2-1/2 floors of US hockey history.
In 2004 new exhibits were added, including the Herb Brooks exhibit covering much of first floor. When leaving the lobby and the theater area, you go up the first flight of stairs to the first floor. There you will see the 1954 Willie’s Jeep that was made into the bright blue Zamboni, serial number 4. This Zamboni was used for the Ice Capades at one time years ago, and was in a terrible fire. It was fixed up, re-painted and donated to the Hall of Fame by Mr. Frank Zamboni. Beyond that, you’ll see the newly added “Tribute to Herb Brooks” exhibit. Many never before seen items are on display here. The photo’s and items on exhibit are wonderful! The “Wall of Fame” which has etched plaques of all Enshrinees, sits high on a stage-like floor. The Wall honors the USHHFM enshrinees including Cammi Granato, who was the first female enshrinee inducted just two years ago in 2008. She was inducted again in 2009 along with the 1998 Women’s Hockey Team. The top floor exhibits include many hands on areas like touch-screen kiosks and Top Shot Hockey, as well as a radar gun to check the speed of your puck when hit. A Women’s Hockey exhibit including USA Olympic worn jerseys from current Whitecaps Jenny (Schmidgall) Potter and Krissy Wendell-Pohl is also on this floor. Next to that is the Minnesota High School Hockey area featuring many pictures and hockey programs from the girls state high school tournaments. All of these exhibits are a must see for every avid hockey fan. One of the newest exhibits on display will be one honoring the Minnesota Whitecaps Hockey Club featuring the Western Women’s Hockey League Championship Cup.
We left the museum to walk into another US Hockey icon, the Eveleth Hippodrome, the oldest hockey rink in the United States. It looks like an extension of the museum with large black and white pictures of old time hockey stars covering the foyer walls and hallways. It was like walking back in time with the American Legion members working the concession stand and a $1.00 raffle hosted by the USHHFM. Entering the ice rink the wooden bench seats added to the experience. The lineup is announced with both teams skating to the blue lines when Whitecaps and former Bemidji Beaver Jenny Schnickel was announced. The Bemidji team took notice of their alumni opponent as conversation arose on the bench along with cheers from the crowd.
Other familiar faces playing on both teams hail from Roseville, Minnesota. Whitecaps Winny Brodt-Brown and Chelsey Brodt-Rosenthal and Bemidji players Erin Cody and Allie Duellman, all four Roseville High School graduates. The head coaches from both Bemidji and Whitecaps also have a Roseville connection. Whitecaps President and Head Coach Jack Brodt Jr. raised his family in Roseville as did Bemidji Beavers Head Coach, Steve Sertich with their kids growing up playing hockey on the rinks together.
The puck dropped at 7:00 pm on hard fast ice where play was back and forth with no score until the end of the first period with a quick shot by Allie Thunstrom from Amy Stech and Jenny Potter for a 1-0 lead. A special presentation occurred during the first intermission. Whitecaps captains Winny Brodt-Brown and Jenny Potter presented the WWHL Championship Cup to the USHHFM curator Tom Sersha to add to the newest exhibit honoring the Minnesota Whitecaps. This gives a place for the WWHL Championship Cup to call home until this upcoming season championship matchup in March 2011. Second period play started out fast and furious until half way through the second period when Whitecaps Iya Gavrilova sliced one past Bemidji goalie Alana McElhinney, giving the Whitecaps a 2-0 lead. Whitecaps Jenny Potter pounded the back of the net from Iya Gavrilova and Winny Brodt-Brown for a 3-0 lead. Bemidji continued to put on the pressure with Jamie Hatheway scoring on Whitecaps goalie, Sanya Sandahl with under a minute left in the second period. The third period was hard fought and continued at the same quick pace as the first but went scoreless leaving the Whitecaps in the lead to win the game 3-1. The Whitecaps took home the trophy for the 3rd Annual Women’s Face-Off Classic , sponsored by the United States Hockey Hall of Fame Museum.
Game two of the series with Bemidji was held at the new Peter’s Rink at the Bemidji Regional Event Center. This was a weekend for history because the Bemidji rink also has a museum type look to it with the murals of prior Bemidji Beaver hockey stars on the walls and lower level halls and entryways. Bemidji Beaver hockey greats like Charlie Brown, who was a Bemidji All American and 1972 USA Hockey Olympian. Charlie’s life size picture is located both downstairs and in the main level mural as is Bemidji Beaver’s head coach Steve Sertich.
Being home ice for the Beavers, the atmosphere was louder, the ice was softer and slower as was the pace of the game. Whitecaps started out strong scoring the first goal of the game at 8:59 in the 1st period. Throughout the rest of the game the four lines of Bemidji wore out the spars lineup of the Whitecaps. With two lines playing the night before in Eveleth the Whitecaps were able to somewhat fill their tanks by adding a third line of forwards but that didn’t seem to help them get the goals they needed to keep up with Bemidji. The Beavers MacKenzie Thurston scored first leaving the game tied at the end of the first period. Bemidji gained a head of speed in the second period with two goals from Emily Erickson and one goal from Erin Cody to give them a 4-1 lead. Whitecaps goal tender Megan Van Beusekom-Sweerin held off 13 more shots in the third period allowing one more goal from Bemidji’s Emily Erickson ending the game with the 5-1 win going to Bemidji. This was Megan’s second time back in the net after delivering her first child just two and a half months ago. That in itself is impressive.
After the game everyone piled into their cars and began the 5 hour drive back to their homes. Traveling through Grand Rapids the local police met me at the Subway parking lot granting me the honor of an administrative ticket. I am still not sure what I did to earn this honor but I know the next time the Whitecaps travel up north we will be stopping at the subway in Walker instead.
The next games for the Whitecaps are Halloween weekend starting with the league home opener against the Manitoba Maple Leafs on Friday October 29, 7:00 at the Blaine Super Rink. The second game in the series will be held on Saturday, October 30th at 4:30 pm at the Rosemount Community Center. On Halloween day, October 31st the Whitecaps will be at the Chisago Lakes Ice Arena at 12:30 pm to finish the series with the Manitoba Maple Leafs.
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October 19, 2010
Whitecaps to present WWHL Championship Cup to USA Hockey Hall of Fame
The WWHL 2009-10 Champion Minnesota Whitecaps will present the Western Women’s Hockey League Championship Cup to the USA Hockey Hall of Fame prior to Friday nights games against Bemidji. It will be held at the USA Hockey Hall of Fame Museum in Eveleth, MN.
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October 11, 2010
Whitecaps have talent but lack cash
The Minnesota Whitecaps are always at a bit of a disadvantage when they play top-tier college teams like the Gophers. For the complete story, please click the folowing link: mndaily.com.
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October 4, 2010
Clarkson Cup Champions Minnesota Whitecaps open with exhibition series
The 2010 Clarkson Cup Champions Minnesota Whitecaps 2010-11 season opens with exhibition games against top teams in the WCHA. The first exhibition series is a double header in Duluth against the 2010 NCAA National Champions, University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. On Friday, October 1st the puck drops at 7:07 pm at the DECC. Game two of the series will be held on Saturday, October 2nd, also at the DECC with a game start time of 3:07 pm.
Friday, October 8th at 7:07 pm, the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers will be hosting the Whitecaps, where there will be plenty of Gopher alumni back at Ridder Arena playing for the Whitecaps. Next the Whitecaps travel to St. Cloud on Saturday, October 9th for another exhibition game to be held at the National Hockey Center hosted by the St. Cloud Huskies. The puck drops at 4:07 pm.
With the Whitecaps bringing home the Western Women’s Hockey League Championship for two consecutive years and this year bringing home the 2010 Clarkson Cup Championship, the USA Hockey Hall of Fame is celebrating the success of USA and Minnesota hockey by sponsoring the first ever women’s hockey Hall of Fame game in Eveleth, Minnesota. The game is schedule for Friday October 22nd at 6:00 pm, where the Minnesota Whitecaps will take on the Bemidji State Beavers. Completing the exhibition series for the Whitecaps will be again played against the Bemidji State Beavers on Saturday, October 23rd at 4:07 at the new BREC Peterson Rink in Bemidji.
Come on out to the rink to watch some great hockey and cheer on the Whitecaps!
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