Ridgebacks Continue to Heat Up
The Ridgebacks are heating up after finding their second pre-season win in a 3-0 shutout against the York Lions.
Last week the Ridgebacks were in Waterloo where they made a statement win after finding a historic finish last season in the program's first playoff run. And while the roster may look different, the hunger is the same #dogsgottaeat
And so they did … late in the third period Leah Hill found the back of the net off a pass from Erica Greco, for the Ridgebacks first home goal of the season. With the game tight heading into the second it was a full display of the team’s defensive and goaltending abilities.
Well the Ridgebacks continued to split the net, with Ivy Nellis getting the start and Julianne Hendriks coming in. Last game Nellis split the net with Ava Antle. What we’ve seen from this goalie group so far is promising for the Ridgebacks program allowing just one goal in two games.
In the pros we’ve seen the impact of a strong goalie duo with the Minnesota Frost having had the best goalie duo in the league with Maddie Rooney and Nicole Hensley, typically not splitting games, splitting the season allowed for more recovery, rest, and focus from the goaltending group. Well the splitting of games is not likely to continue into the regular season the Ridgebacks allowing all three goaltenders to gain experience and exposure to multiple teams, especially for the freshman duo.
Heading into the third with the Ridgebacks up 1-0 both sides continued to fight, locking down their backend, before Emily Harrison came storming in for the Ridgebacks finding the insurance goal on the rush just over midway through the period. Down 2-0 the York Lions pulled their goalie to make a push on offence but it was sophomore Amy Hermer sealing the Ridgebacks win with an empty net goal.
Beck’s Player of the Game:
While she may not have hit the scoresheet, Beck’s Player of the Game belongs to Amelia Zealand who did all the little things right, applying pressure in transition, breaking out and creating opportunities and scoring chances for the Ridgebacks. Her impact on the ice cannot go unnoticed as in the tight match this was, every possession matters and can be the deciding play of the game. Tonight Zealand was also strong in the two-way play extending her impact even further.
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