BLAINE, MN — The Bantam AA Queens are in Blaine, Minnesota this weekend for the 2018 All American Girls Hockey Tournament for a guaranteed four games with the possibility of a 5th.
The Queens got started Friday against the Stormin Sabres. Thunder Bay outshot their opponents in the first period 11-2 but came up empty. Storming opened scoring early in the second but their lead would only last for a couple of minutes when Alessia Ricciardi setup Joanna Martinsen who’d score to tie it up. Two minutes later, Caryss Kehl would setup up Martinsen on the power play as she’d get her second of the game. And then just over a minute after that Martinsen completed the natural hat trick, scoring 3 goals in 3:03.
In the third, Katy Lacosse would score to extend the lead 4-1. Riah Compardodrew an assist. Stormin managed another goal but Amber Yesno-Linklater got it back for the Queens. Final score 5-2.
Saturday morning, the Queens took on Andover. The Queens would relinquish the first goal of the game again as Andover took a 1-0 lead into the second. Riah Compardo tied the game for Thunder Bay early into the middle frame with help from Taylor Barenzbut Andover got it right back. The Queens tied the game again on a goal from Ricciardi to make it 2-2 after two. Andover would take a commanding 4-2 lead in the third. Akira Tatebewould pot a goal to cut the lead to one but it was as close as they’d come, ultimately dropping Game 2 4-3.
Saturday afternoon, the Queens put their 1-1 record up against the Glenview Stars who were still seeking their first win of the tournament. The Queens would get the ball rolling on a goal by Barenz assisted by Lacosse in the 2nd period. Thunder Bay extended their lead after Ricciardi would put the finishing touches on a play setup by Martinsen, scoring to put the Queens up 2-0. Any hopes of a Glenview comeback would but quashed they’d be shutout and Ella Mannilla notched the insurance goal for a 3-0 final.
Sunday morning, the Bantam AAs met Wayzata who also carry a 2-1 record. Unfortunately, only pride will be on the line as Andover, with 1-goal wins over both the Queens and Wayzata, clinched 1st place in their pool and their spot in the Championship game. The tight checking affair left both teams scoreless through the first and nearly the second but Wayzata would score a late second-period goal to take the lead. Wayzata looked to take a 2-0 lead in the third on the powerplay but Ella Mannila flipped that script scoring an unassisted shorthanded goal to tie the game! Neither team would blink the rest of the way as the game ended in a 1-1 tie.
