Tough games ahead for CVU girls hockey squad

Feb. 4, 2010

By Mal Boright

Observer correspondent

Having returned to their winning ways, the Champlain Valley Union High girls rolled into Wednesday evening’s home hockey contest against 10-5 Missisquoi Valley Union with a nifty four-game victory string in tow.

It was the Thunderbirds, however, who handed the 12-3-1 Redhawks their initial loss of the season, 7-3, in Highgate back in late December. Wednesday’s game was scheduled for after press deadline.

The schedule remains challenging, as CVU will host 11-3-2 Essex High on Saturday afternoon at 4:00. Next Wednesday, 9-4-3 Bellows Free Academy of St. Albans will be at Cairns Arena for a 7:40 p.m. faceoff against the Redhawks.

In their latest win last Friday, the Red and White-clads unleashed some 42 shots at Burlington High goalie Eileen Gomez, who stopped all but three in a 3-1 CVU victory.

Sophia Steinhoff fired home her 20th goal of the season to snap a 1-1 deadlock in the second period. Molly Howard scored her 25th goal and KK Logan added her 16th for the victors.

Redhawks’ net minder Nicole Fisk had 11 saves.

A week ago Wednesday, Fisk had 12 stops in a spirited, 3-1 triumph over South Burlington High.

The Rebels had an edge in early play and took a 1-0 first quarter lead when Alie Cunavelis intercepted a clearing pass in the CVU zone and fed the puck to teammate Sydney Watkin, who snapped home a quick shot.

That was the lone tally until CVU’s Logan unloaded a power play goal with 3:39 left in the second period, Steinhoff and Maggie Ryan assisting.

With Steinhoff, Logan, Lizzy Betz and Ryan laying tough shots on goal, the Rebels nevertheless were able to avoid further damage until Steinhoff jammed home her own rebound with 6:55 to go, giving CVU the lead for the first time.

Howard later scored into an open net with 54.3 seconds left after South Burlington pulled its goalie for an additional attacker.