For those who doubted that Colorado hockey was ready for a full season national bound 14U Girls Tier-1 team, TC made one final and extremely loud statement this past weekend at the CCM Chi Town Shuffle.  Finishing the weekend with an undefeated 5-0 record, TC claimed a jaw dropping fourth tournament championship title, bringing a deafening silence to any remaining critics.  The exciting double overtime victory in Chicago marked the team’s third straight championship in 2021, and their fifth tournament finals appearance this season.  Looking to extend their winning streak, in one week the 14U’s will travel to Pennsylvania for their final and most important event of the season- the USA Hockey Tier-1 National Championships. 

TC started the weekend focused and intense, taking out the PDL Elite in game one 4-0.  Lily Place led the team with 2 points (1 goal, 1 assist), and goaltender Sadie Bellissimo registered the shutout with 17 saves.  Later Friday evening, TC forward Trinity Walsh scored the lone goal, and goaltender Kaylee Miller stopped all 12 shots in a 1-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks.  In game three, TC skated past the Minnesota Chargers 5-0, scoring two goals in the first period and three in the third.  Displaying balanced scoring, five different payers lit the lamp; Evelyn Latka and Katelyn Barcza each tallied a goal and an assist.  Bellissimo notched her second shutout of the weekend with help from her defense, who allowed only 10 shots on net. 

In their final pool-play game, TC faced off against the Boulder Lady Roughriders 16U AA team.  With three games already played against the older Tier-2 team that resulted in one win, one tie and one loss, the Chicago meeting was a rubber match of sorts to break the season series tie.  Scoring goals in the first and second periods, TC gave up their first goal of the weekend in the final stanza.  However, with solid defensive play and goaltending down the stretch, TC was able to hold on to the lead, skating to a 2-1 victory.  In the championship game, a rematch against Anaheim, TC gave up the first goal in the first period before Masyn Mullin tied it up in the second.  After a scoreless third period, the 1-1 game moved to sudden death overtime.  Unable to crown the winner after the first overtime period, the TC bench erupted when Latka ended the game off a backhand tip that sailed over the Anaheim netminder’s shoulder.    

Reflecting on the regular season after returning home, Head Coach Karen Rickard had high praise for her team, and high hopes for the chance to win their fifth tournament of the season.  "We've had many challenges this season, but through all the ups and downs, the constant was that our players continued to show up and give their absolute best day in and day out. I'm incredibly proud of these girls for all their work and accomplishments to date, but we have one final tournament in front of us to compete in and make a statement about what Team Colorado is and the type of players who wear the jersey."  The team travels to West Chester April 28 for their first shot at a national championship title.  Games will be played daily from April 29 through May 2.