2006-07 National Women's Team

NATIONAL WOMEN’S TEAM TOPS MIDGET AAA FLAMES 5-2 IN EXHIBITION TILT

Canada’s National Women’s Team wrapped up their three-game exhibition series against Calgary-area Midget AAA teams in style on Thursday night in Calgary, firing 41 shots on the Calgary Midget AAA Flames’ goal in a 5-2 win.

Canadian captain Hayley Wickenheiser (Shaunavon, SK), linemate Katie Weatherston (Thunder Bay, ON) and defenseman Jennifer Jeffrey (Zurich, ON) had a goal and an assist apiece in the win, while goaltender Charline Labonté (Boisbriand, QC) turned aside 23 shots in the Canadian goal.

Gina Kingsbury (Rouyn-Noranda, QC) and Lara Perks (Trenton, ON) also scored for the Canadians, who outshot the Flames 41-25.

The Flames, missing nine regulars because of school commitments, jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on goals from Midget AA call-up David Durbenuik and defenseman Jordan Principalli just over six minutes in.

Wickenheiser cut the lead in half just 34 seconds after Principalli’s powerplay marker, blasting a shot from the face-off circle past Flames starter Jason Chahade, and Kingsbury tied it up late in the opening frame, keeping the puck on a two-on-one and snapping a shot past Chahade.

Weatherston gave the Canadians their first lead of the game just over five minutes into the second period, flipping the puck past Chahade following a scramble in front of the Flames’ net.

Perks increased the lead to two seven minutes later, tipping in Jeffrey’s point shot past Flames goaltender Riley Brown, who relieved Chahade midway through the period. Kelly Béchard (Sedley, SK) picked up the second assist on Perks’ goal.

The Canadians peppered Brown with 14 shots in the final frame, but only Jeffrey could beat him, snapping the puck into an open net after a scramble in front at 5:36 of the third.

Labonté was solid after the Flames’ quick start, turning aside all 15 shots she faced over the final 40 minutes.

Canada’s National Women’s Team wraps up their evaluation camp on Friday morning with a 4-on-4 Red vs. White game featuring players from the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Calgary Canucks. The puck drops at 9:30 a.m. MT at Father David Bauer Arena in Calgary.