2011 National Women's Under-18 Championship

ATLANTIC BLANKS SASKATCHEWAN TO KICK OFF UNDER-18 TOURNAMENT

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The second game of the National Women's Under 18 Championship saw Atlantic take on Saskatchewan early Wednesday afternoon. Both teams had an energetic start as they stepped onto the ice, with fans gathering eagerly in the stands. The east coasters got off to a fast start, scoring two goals in the first before adding a third in the second and a fourth in the final frame on their way to a 4 -0 victory.

In the first period, Shannon MacAulay (Mount Herbert, P.E.I.) beat Saskatchewan's goaltender Samantha Ridgewell (Delisle, Sask.) twice within a few minutes Atlantic's goaltender, Stefannie Moak (Middle Sackville, N.S.), was brilliant in front of her net, making many keys saves and showing great composure.

In the second period, Saskatchewan got two back-to-back penalties, but Atlantic could not profit from the situation to widen its lead. However, Atlantic did manage to score a few minutes later when Taylor Dale (Oromocto, N.B.) found the back of the net to put her team up 3 -0.

Atlantic put the game out of reach at the beginning of the last frame when Jennifer MacAskill (Aulds Cove, N.S.) scored on Samantha Ridgewell (Delisle, Sask.) on a breakaway, by shooting the puck through the five-hole. It was a gem of a goal worth the price of admission itself! Moak took over from there, making 33 shots for Atlantic and earning the win.

Atlantic faces off against Ontario Blue at 1 p.m. ET Thursday, while Saskatchewan next takes on Québec in the 8 p.m. ET game Thursday. Follow along for game updates at www.Twitter.com/HC_NWU18.

Penalties:
   04:19 SK 20 Shiayli Toni (Tripping)
   17:09 ATL 11 Catherine Berghuis (Bodychecking)

Penalties:
   05:48 SK 12 Nikki Watters-Matthes (Hooking)
   07:34 SK 4 Cara Zubko (Cross Checking)

Penalties:
   02:30 SK 18 Kennedy Ottenbreit-Daunheimer (Hooking)
   02:52 ATL 11 Catherine Berghuis (Holding)