Dinos face tough Mcgill test in opening match of nationals
Goyette’s troops studying hard
of your game . . . you can score nine goals, but if they score 10, you’ll never win.’’
In her tenure as head coach of the University of Calgary women’s team, Goyette has attempted to impart that philosophy and it appears she’s
The agreed-upon maxim in hockey is that the squad that plays the best defence is the one that takes the championship.
Certainly Danielle Goyette has won enough titles to be of that same mind.
“You can have the best players in the world on your team,’’ the former Olympian pointed out, “but if you don’t pay attention to the defensive side done a pretty good job, as the Dinos head into their first CIS nationals in Edmonton as the stingiest side in Canada West.
Calgary, ranked third, will open up the tournament tonight against second-ranked Mcgill, the defending champion. In the other game, Montreal meets top-rated Laurier.
The dinos have never played the Martlets, but the latter’s reputation for excellence is well recognized, particularly that of Canadian national team netminder Charline Labonte and forward Ann-sophie Bettez, CIS player of the year.
Thus the non-stop video sessions.
“For me, it’s a team that has been successful for a few years,’’ Goyette explained.
“Their goaltender is one of their strengths. We know what we have to do to take her off her game.
“They have a good core on defence. They have some talented forwards, but if we play our game and play physical, this is not a team that is used to playing physical or having a lot of competition during the season.
“We go there as underdogs and try to do our best. It’s our first time at nationals and we have nothing to lose and everything to win.’’
The Dinos are no slouches themselves when it comes to goaltending, relying on the smarts of veteran Amanda Tapp.
Tapp, who has played on the Oval X-treme and the Strathmore Rockies, posted a 1.6 5 goals-against average in 19 regular season appearances and has been solid in the playoffs.
“There’s statistics and numbers, but that doesn’t matter to me,’’ noted Tapp, in her third year with the Dinos. “You know you’re not going to stop every puck, but you want to make the save when your team needs to. That’s my goal.
“It’s been a learning experience for a lot of these girls from where they’ve come last year to where they are now. It’s miles and miles.’’
“I f you wa n t to win championships,’’ added Goyette, a teammateof Tapp’swhile wit h the X-treme, “you have a goalie who makes the right saves at the right time. I think she did that for us this year and hopefully she can do it for another week.’’
At last night’s all-canadian banquet, Calgary forward Hayley Wickenheiser and defenceman Stephanie Ramsay were both named to the second team.
“We’re really glad that we drew Mcgill, we get to play the best right away and measure up skills that we’ve only tested against our league,’’ commentedramsay,whowon the national title with Alberta in 2010 and was tournament MVP.
She was once again a Canada West all-star this season, finishing third in team scoring with 25 points.
“I appreciate the acknowledgment, but we’re a 24-man unit and my personal goals wouldn’t be achieved without the great 23 players around me. We all have a role and we’ve all accepted our role and embraced it.
“Always being defensively sounds is something our team takes pride in. We can do our job, but if the forwards aren’t doing their job, we can’t get the puck out.
“It’s our responsibility, our onus as a team and we accept that challenge.’’
It’s our first time at nationals and we have nothing to lose and everything to win DANIELLE GOYETTE