Undefeated Edmonton Thunder roll right to top of Esso Cup standings

by Alexa Dziubenko

BURNABY, B.C. – Edmonton Thunder (Pacific) holds on tight to top spot at the 2013 Esso Cup following a 3-2 win over LHFDQ Nord (Quebec) during Thursday’s early game at Bill Copeland Sports Centre, in front of a cheering crowd of 1,500 adoring elementary school children.

Despite taking three penalties in the first period,  Edmonton managed  to steal an early 2-0 lead, thanks to goals scored by player of the game Elizabeth Salyn (Edmonton, Alta.) and Mikaeli Cavell (Edmonton, Alta.). Nicole Gorda (Edmonton, Alta.) assisted on the first midway through the period, while Amy Boucher (Edmonton, Alta.) helped out on the next goal, which went into the net with just 1.5 seconds left on the clock.

But after that the Edmonton Thunder stayed out of the box for the most part, and their ability to play a relatively clean game ended up being a key factor in this win.

Neither LHFDQ Nord nor the Edmonton Thunder could capture a goal in the second period. Both teams experienced a long shift, as LHFDQ Nord managed to keep the play in Edmonton’s end for three straight minutes. Jade Downie-Landry (St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.) created great chances for the Quebec reps, including a killer backhanded shot midway through the period.

At the start of the third, LHFDQ Nord closed the gap to 2-1 with a shorthanded goal from Valerie Audet (St-Bruno, Que.). Audet now leads the tournament in points, with three goals and eight assists. A desperate LHFDQ Nord squad starting playing a little rough, but its deficit only widened, as Taylor Hughson (Edmonton, Alta.) scored another power play goal at 11:36 in the third.

Despite tightening the gap with another shorthanded goal, this time from Danae Guay (Beloeil, Que.), and pulling the goalie in the last 40 seconds of the game, LHFDQ Nord came up one goal short in contention for the top of the tournament standings.

Edmonton Thunder head coach Cassea Shols commented on her team’s flawless record following the game. “We never expected it,” she said. “You never know with these kinds of tournaments, but it feels awesome to be here. I really have to thank the girls who got us here.”

The Edmonton Thunder and LHFDQ Nord will both play in semifinals Friday, April 26, to fight for spots in Saturday’s gold medal game at the 2013 Esso Cup. The semis are set for 2 p.m. PT and 4 p.m. PT at Bill Copeland Sports Centre.

Watch all the action live on FASTHockey by visiting www.hockeycanada.fasthockey.com and follow the games on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/HC_EssoCup.