By Paul Ribitzki

The UofA’s own women’s ice hockey team, the Wildcat Icers, were on the road February 6th thru 9th to defend their title in the 7th Annual Las Vegas Women’s Classic. The team was divided into two squads, A & B, and assigned to the Novice 2 and Novice 4 divisions. This was an upgrade from the Novice 4 & 5 classes where they competed in the 2002 tournament.

The results of the first day’s action were mixed. The Icers B opened the tourney against the Voodoo Dolls of Baton Rouge Louisiana. A Dolls’ breakaway goal in the 1st period ruined an outstanding performance by the Icers as this one slipped away 1 – 0. The late game on this opening day paired the Icers A with the Houston Can-Am Storm. The game see-sawed back and forth until the Icers stole the puck at center ice and scored the winning goal with less than 2 minutes in the 3rd. Final score: 3 – 2.

Friday’s contests began with the Icers A and the Oakland Seals B. The Icers A dominated early, but the Seals came back with 2 goals in the 3rd period to tie the game at 3 and send it into overtime. The Wildcats recovered in the bonus frame and scored the game winner with 42 seconds remaining. The Colorado Cliffhangers were up next for the Icers B. A solid game by both the offense and defense and outstanding goal tending put the Icers B in the win column with a 4 – 0 shutout.

Decision day for the Icers B came early Saturday morning when the California Polar Cats 2 from LA skated on the ice. The Icers B played the girls from SoCal tough, but UA’s hopes of a repeat title in this bracket slid into their net and the Polar Cats advanced 3 – 1. The Icers A looked forward to their upcoming game at the Crystal Palace with UA’s biggest rival, the ASU She Devils. Only a few minutes had past in the opening period before the first of many roughing penalties was called. Most of this tilt was played either 4 on 4 or short handed as the girls mixed it up often. The She Devils and Wildcats played the game of the tournament as the chant “U of A” “U of A” “U of A” rocked the Palace. When the girls lined up at the end to shake the hands of their ACHA rivals, it was the Wildcat Icers A who were going on to the championship game with a 1 – 0 victory.

The championship game for the Icers A featured a repeat match with Houston. The girls from Arizona shocked the Storm with 2 goals in the first 4 minutes. Their fans sensed that the Icers A could not be denied as the UA defense controlled the game and gave the Icers the title, 3 – 1.

Several Icers players received individual honors as they were elected to the All Tournament Team for their division. They were as follows: Arianne Semar – Goalie, Ashley Swanson – Defense, Betsy Harlow – Forward, and Meagan Dunn – MVP.

You can find out more information about your Wildcat Icers by visiting their website at www.geocities.com/wildcaticers

Last updated: 4/19/03