Fire catch Southern Express

Alexa Brown and Marlee Oczkowski (25), Calgary Fire White (playing in red) and a Southern Express player on the boards in their Alberta Female Midget Elite game at Winsport A, Calgary, Alberta, January 12, 2020. © J. Ashley Nixon

Southern Express set off with pace and looked hard to catch as they put away two power-play goals scored by Kendal Pierson and Kennedy King five minutes either side of the first break. Fire White got on the bus midway through the second period to ticket their own power-play goal scored by Ayah Salem. One minute later, Fire White equalized with their second power-play goal scored by Rylee Pennoyer.

Southern Express regained the lead just after the start of the final period with a goal scored by Janaya Laqua. Within less than a minute, Meghan Dean pulled Fire White back into contention, then the Calgary team went ahead at the twelve-minute mark with a goal from call-up player, Hanna Perrier.  The Fire White defence duos worked hard through the closing minutes of the game to hold off a series of Express attacks.

Final score: Calgary Fire White 4-3 Southern Express

Up next: A short break-there is no AFHL hockey next weekend. The next Fire White game is versus Rocky Mountain Raiders at Scott Seaman Arena, De Winton on January 25.

Song of the Match

The Canadian sounds of Rush were familiar and well-loved when I was living in Britain in the 1970s and 1980s. Sadly their power drummer and poet, Neil Peart passed away on January 7, 2020, after a long battle against brain cancer. Respect was shown by the playing of their defining piece of music from the 1980s, Tom Sawyer during the first interval.

More photos from the game

Please visit J. Ashley Nixon Communications for more photos from this and other hockey games.

Standings

For the latest information on the AFHL and the Midget AA Elite standings, visit the Alberta Female Hockey League.