2007 Esso Women's Nationals

Desirae Clark once faced 83 shots in an NCAA game playing for Harvard.

On Tuesday night at the Sunwave Centre in Salmon Arm, BC, the shot total didn’t reach 83. Still, Clark’s performance was sensational and will stand as one of the memorable points of the 2007 Esso Women’s Nationals.

Clark stopped 57 of 59 shots as her Etobicoke Dolphins (Ontario 2) dropped a heartbreaking 2-1 overtime game to Team Alberta (Calgary Oval X-Treme).

The X-Treme, one of the favourites at this event, fired shots early and often at Clark, who was forced to make several outstanding saves. “It’s good, it feels good,” said Clark, who is from Salmo, BC. “The team played phenomenal. The atmosphere was really positive. “It’s so much fun to play in these games. This is the type of game you play hockey for.”

Team Alberta opened the scoring at 17:28 of the first period when Correne Bredin beat Clark.
The score would remain 1-0 until late in the third period. The Dolphins, desperate to tie the game, pulled Clark for an extra attacker and, moments later, Daniela Diaz scored the tying goal.

The overtime winner came off the stick of Alberta’s Rebecca Russell at 5:13.
In other action on Tuesday night, the Mississauga Aeros (Ontario 1) shut out New Brunswick 8-0. Kelly Bechard and Kate Allgood each scored twice to lead the Aeros.

It should be an exciting day at the Sunwave Centre on Wednesday, as teams battle to move on to the playoffs, which get going on Thursday.

Wednesday’s feature game has Ontario 1 taking on Alberta, in a matchup of 3-0 teams.