Girls Under 12 Hockey Report

By Paul Easton

In Under-12 Girls State Tournament action, the Northstars had their first game on Valentines Day against Mississquoi in Highgate. The team came out on fire, with Lydia Hoffman opening the scoring. A goal by Erin Easton followed off a pass from Libby Start for a 2-0 lead. The score was doubled after two periods to 4-0. Start had another assist. Mississquoi got one back in the third, but Northfield scored three more times to put the game away. Kristen Dukette had a Hat Trick, Brittney LaFreniere scored and Start had four assists.

On Saturday morning at 8:20, the girls took on Rutland. It was more of the same outstanding team effort, and this produced another victory, 5-2. Easton opened the scoring in the first, assisted by Start and LaFreniere. Dukette and Easton added unassisted goals in the second period.

Once again, it was lights out in the third period. Start got her sixth assist in two games, and Easton got a Hat Trick. Particularly strong and unsung on defense were Hillary Amell and Cassidy Enberg.

Their third game on Sunday morning at 10 was against Burlington. More of the same, and after the 5-2 win, the team headed into Tuesday night’s championship game undefeated. Cheyenne Tardie played the whole game in goal and the complete team effort was once again on display. Northfield jumped out to a 3-0 lead, LaFreniere netted two goals, and Easton had two more (6 in the tournament).

Championship Games

Northshire, which lost its first game of the tournament, won its way back to the championship game on Tuesday night by beating Burlington, 3-2.

Both Northfield and Northshire came out flying in Tuesday’s game, and were turned back by save after save by each team’s goalie. After two periods of exciting offense and spectacular defense, the score was still 0-0.

At the start of the third period, Northshire was able to score two goals and establish an almost insurmountable lead. Northfield continued to pour it on, and with one minute and 27 seconds left, scored their first goal.

With the goalie off and an extra player on ice, Kristen Dukette rammed one home with an assist from Hilary Amell. Continuing with the empty net, Dukette scored again with 31 seconds left, to tie the game and send it into overtime. This spectacular goal was assisted by Lydia Hoffman.

In the first extra 12 minutes of overtime, the action was again end to end, and both team’s goalies were hot, turning back shot after shot. A second 12 minute session began with Northfield putting on the pressure, then running down the clock with a player off the ice with a penalty for 1:30. The play continued and finally after 4:42, Northshire was able to score the game winner.

Cheyenne Tardie and Erin Easton both had great games in what was an outstanding hockey game. The two teams faced each other again Wednesday in the double elimination tournament. The winner will take home the trophy as State Champion.

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