2005 Esso Women's Nationals

Quebec -2 Ontario Host -3

Semi-Final
March 12, 2005
Sarnia, ON

Team Ontario Host (seeded third in Pool A) eliminated New Brunswick (seeded first in Pool B) 8-3 to advance to the semi-finals in last night’s action.

Quebec (seeded second in Pool A) downed Alberta 11-1 (seeded fifth in Pool A) to also advance to the semi-finals also in yesterday’s tournament play.

This has now set up a rematch between these two teams. Quebec defeated Ontario Host 4-2 in the opening day of the tournament.

Quebec advanced with a record of 3-1 with 22 goals for and 12 against in round robin play while Ontario Host’s record was 2-2 with 23 goals for and only 7 goals against.

Getting the Start in net for Quebec was # 54 Charline Labonte who has allowed only 9 goals in 180 minutes of play and a record of 2-1

Ontario Host goaltender was # 1 Sami Jo Small who has allowed only 4 goals in 100 minutes of play and has a record of 1-1.

Both these two teams came in fresh for today’s competition after eliminating their opponents in day three of the tournament.

As to be excepted this game was going to be a tough test for both teams.

Right off the bat # 8 Jennifer Butsch picked up Ontario first penalty just under a minute into the contest. Ontario Host killed off the penalty as # 1 Sami Jo Small was put to the test having to make numerous stops as Quebec kept the puck deep in the zone.

#89 Hayle McMeekin got team Ontario Host on the board after she poked the puck past # 54 Labonte to get her fourth goal of the tournament at the 10:59 mark. Heather Logan and Haley Irwin assisted on the play.  There was plenty of quality scoring chances at both ends before the period would end. Both teams went 0 for 1 on the power play. Shot were in favor of Ontario Host 13-12.

Ontario Host was quick in starting the second period with two glorious scoring chances but again Labonte stood her ground.  # 23 Jesse Scanzano from Quebec broke in between the two defense and gave her team their first opportunity of the period, which Sami Jo handled easy. # 55 Gina Kingsbury tied the game for Quebec on the power play just 29 second in on a tic tac toe passing play with Cathy Chartrand and “C” Lisa- Marie Brenton at the 13:55 mark of the second period. #48 Annie Desrosiers stripped the puck from the defense and went down on a breakaway and fired the shot high hitting Sami Jo in the shoulder. Both teams had their share of penalties at four apiece for the period.  Quebec out shot Ontario Host 20 to 13.

Both teams opened the third period 4 on 4. After killing off the penalties, both teams continued to attack making both goalies to come up big.  It wasn’t until the 6:28 mark of the period when Ontario Host’s Susan Hobson scored from high in the slot on a rebound from Jennifer Botterill’s original shot. This goal was under protest from the Quebec’s bench as they were complaining a player was lying on top of goalie Labonte.  Quebec found themselves back on their heels as Ontario Host continued to pressure. Sommer West hit the post just under a minute later as she was camped out at the side of the net. Quebec tied the game at 3:34 as # 73 Isabella Chartrand fired a shot from the right point that found the back of the net. # 23 Jesse Scanzano picked up the assist. Sami Jo was screened on the shot. Then with a 2 on 1 Heather Logan made no mistakes scoring the game winner at the 2:22 when she went high glove side to beat Labonte. After the goal Quebec called a time out. The referee called off setting penalties with only 1:13 showing on the clock. With the puck deep in Ontario’s zone Quebec pulled their goalie but was unable to get the equalizer as the time had expired. The final shots favored Team Ontario Host 40 to 39.

Player of the game from Quebec was #54 Goalie Charline Labonte and from Ontario was #22 Heather Logan.

Team Ontario Host with the win will advance to tomorrow’s gold medal round.