Calgary Fire White progress to Provincial Playoffs

Three from Mia

The Calgary Fire White built on their winning performance in game one, the previous day to confirm their place in this year’s Alberta provincial playoffs. It wasn’t an easy ride as Olds Grizzly’s fought hard to stay in the competition. Unlike the first game though, it was Fire White who opened the scoring in the first period after killing two back to back penalties. Mia Bierd got in front of the net and wristed a beautifully placed shot, glove side over Misty Rey’s left shoulder.

Just over two minutes into the second period, Bierd scored again. Ryann Perrett shot the puck from close range and it looked as though Rey had picked it up with her glove. But the rubber slipped by and Fire White’s number nine centre scooted around to the goalies left and sniped it into the net. Less than three minutes later, she got her hattrick after a delayed penalty against the Grizzlys and scrum in front of their net. No hats on the ice but enough for goalie Misty Rey to be pulled and replaced by Meghan Olsen. More than enough for Fire White win the short series 6-2 on aggregate and to join the Bonnett’s Storm and other teams in the playoff finals in Grande Prairie later this month.

Final score: Calgary Fire White 3-0 Olds Grizzlys

Up next: The  Alberta Bantam Elite playoffs start on March 22 in Grande Prairie. The qualifying teams besides Calgary Fire White are Rocky Mountain Raiders, St. Albert Raiders and North Central Impact. The hosts, Peace Country Bonnett’s Storm also play in the finals.

Song of the match

DJ Kitch was laying down some cool playoff pop songs at the game, making it a difficult choice. It could have been a song from The Strokes (Last Nite), or John Mellancamp (Hurts So Good?). Maybe The Beastie Boys ((You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party))? Alanis Morissette, the runner-up from yesterday’s game was in contention again today with Ironic, not least because of the sing-along it invokes in the Fire White team. But none of those. As this is the last home game before the playoffs up in Grande Prairies, and because there are connections to two of my all-time favourite bands (guess which ones?) I’m awarding three stars today.

One Star

The first star goes to Sporty Spice and her team mates in The Spice Girls, with Wannabee.

Two Stars

Joe Jackson was so close to being a winner with One More Time. It’s a song from 1979, the third single from the album Look Sharp, one of the coolest sounding and looking albums ever produced. I have that one displayed on my basement wall and I never thought I would hear it in a hockey arena in Canada. Great choice, Kitch! This video shows Joe Jackson and band playing the song live in 1980. Reminds me of the jacket and tie I used to wear back in those punky/New Wave halcyon days! If you like this one, you might also like to check out Is She Really Going Out With Him?

Three Stars

The winner, however, goes to the song Paper Planes for two reasons. First, it’s performed by Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam, better known by her stage name, M.I.A, which coincides with our hattrick scorer, Mia Bierd. The Fire White’s Mia was definitely not missing in action (MIA) in this game. Second, if you look at the credits you will also find, besides M.I.A and Thomas Wesley Pentz (aka Diplo, a DJ, producer, and member of Major Lazer) the names of the members of The Clash: Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Nicholas Bowen “Topper” Headon, and one John Mellor (the late Joe Strummer). They are credited as the M.I.A song samples extensively from Straight to Hell, which featured on the album Combat Rock, released in 1982. Here’s the film link to M.I.A performing Paper Planes from the album Kala released in 2007.

More action from the game

For more photos from the game please visit J. Ashley Nixon Communication