Steelers Shine in Vermont

September 4, 2005

Burlington, Vermont -- The Pacific Steelers competed at the North American Hockey Academy Tournament September 2 to 4, 2005 in Burlington, Vermont. The tournament featured an unprecedented 70 US college coaches in attendance, and is widely regarded by US college coaches to be the most heavily scouted tournament in North America.

The Steelers impressed at the tournament, with their stingy defence and work ethic. The Steelers started off strong with a 0-0 shutout tie over Kanada Selects, a team that featured some of Ontario's top players, including Team Ontario Goaltender Christine Kessler.

The Steelers followed up the Kanada Selects game with a gutsy 1-0 win over Honeybaked. Jen Brawn scored the game winner with .01 seconds left in the game for the win off an offensive zone faceoff. Jenny Lura was excellent in net, recording her second straight shutout of the tournament.

The Steelers then dropped a 3-2 decision to the eventual tournament finalists Summer Storm game. The game was a fast paced affair, and featured some of the best hockey by the Steelers players in the tournament.  The Steelers had trouble containing Team Ontario player Mallory Deluce.  Jen Brawn, and Elyce Thomas scored goals for the Steelers in the loss.

Facing a must win situation to advance to the quarterfinals, the Steelers edged the eventual Tournament Champion Connecticut Polar Bears 1-0.  Melissa Anderson scored the only goal of the game, while Jenny Lura was stellar between the pipes frustrating the Polar Bears with spectacular save after spectacular save in recording her 3rd shutout of the tournament.

Advancing to the Quarterfinals for the second straight year, the Steelers played the NAHA White team and were edged 2-1. The Steelers outplayed NAHA for stretches of even strength play, but a questionable shorthanded goal against, and a 5 on 3 power play goal by NAHA, gave NAHA a 2-0 lead.  The Steelers faced some bad luck with 2 disallowed power play goals of its own.

Playing in the Consolation Game against the Kanada Selects, the Steelers played perhaps its best game of the tournament.  Facing tough goaltender Christine Kessler, the Steelers were unrelenting in their aggressive forecheck and outworked the Selects for the majority of the game.  Scoring for the Steelers were Mel Jue, Sherilee Sharko, Melissa Anderson and Jen Brawn

The Steelers will be entering two teams for the 2006 North American Hockey Tournament. The Steelers will be holding open tryouts for the team in June 2006.

If you are interested in trying out for the Steelers for this tournament team, please contact vermont@hockeybc.com