2009 Esso Cup

DE KEZEL GETS WINNER AS WILDCATS OPEN ESSO CUP WITH WIN

by Derek Kelly Neumeier

The 2009 Esso Cup kicked off in grand fashion Sunday afternoon as the Westman Wildcats defeated the Edmonton Thunder 3-1 in the opening game of the tournament.

After a scoreless first period both teams exploded out of the gate to start the second, scoring a combined three goals in the first three minutes.

Wildcat forward Megan Bailey opened the scoring 54 seconds into the frame, but the Thunder tied it up two minutes later with a power play tally of their own thanks to Jenna Klynstra.

The tie was short lived, however, as Wildcat Kiara De Kezel brought her team’s lead back a mere fourteen seconds afterwards, firing a quick one-timer from the side of the net past Edmonton netminder Meghan Witt. The goal would stand as the eventual game-winner.

Westman extended their lead to 3-1 4:40 into the third on Brigette Lacquette’s hard slapshot from the point. Despite a determined push made by the Thunder to bring their team back into the game, the Wildcats kept their opponents at bay for the remainder of regulation thanks to an aggressive defence.

The Wildcats will look to continue their winning ways with their next game on Tuesday against the Northern Stars, while the Thunder will try and capture their first win tomorrow afternoon against the Scarborough Sharks.

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