Whitecaps sweep Maple Leafs

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Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 23:31

The Manitoba Maple Leafs had another good showing for the weekend but the Minnesota Whitecaps continued to come back strong to finish on top. Friday night’s game in Chisago Lakes was all Manitoba until the third period when the Whitecaps sealed the deal late in the third with the winning goal ending the game 4-3.

Scoring for the Maple Leafs in the first period was forward Sarah Moe with two goals and Michaela Michaelson in the third period. For the Whitecaps, a first period goal came from U.S. National Team member Jenny Potter, followed by Jenny Schnickel in the second period and in the third period the tying goal from Allie Thunstrom with the game-winner from Potter.

Saturday night’s game took place on the Gustavus Adolphus campus with the stands filled with college students which provided an energetic atmosphere. No scoring took place in the first period but it was a battle at both ends of the ice. Period two started off with a goal from Sam Nixon, getting the Whitecaps on the board. Toward the end of the period, Amy Stech found the back of the net with Ali Sanchez following her three minutes later with a goal of her own giving the Whitecaps a 3-0 lead.

The Maple Leafs got on the board in the third period with a goal from Moe and finishing off the scoring for the Whitecaps was Jodi Holland, ending the game with the final score 4-1 in favor of the Whitecaps.  Whitecaps goaltender Sarah Ahlquist made 27 saves.

Rochester’s Graham Arena was the site for the last game of the series with the Maple Leafs. Seventy-eight youth hockey players were in attendance at the pre-game clinic. This was the largest attendance at a clinic so far this season.

The first period was a battle between both teams. Manitoba knew they had to get on the scoreboard early since their bench was short due to several injuries. Whitecaps forward Brooke White-Lancette started off the game with two goals in the first eight minutes of the game. Nixon was up next with a top shelf goal.

Manitoba answered back with an unassisted goal from Canadian National team member Jocelyn Larocque.  Following were two consecutive goals by the Maple Leafs Autumn Stuntz to knot the game at 3-3. Ending the first period with a natural hat trick was White-Lancette.

Starting the second period with a one-goal lead, the Whitecaps took off again with another four points for the period from Jessica Tyra, two consecutive goals from Ally Thunstrom and second goal of the game for Nixon. Stuntz earned her hat trick goal at the buzzer, ending the period with the Whitecaps leading 8-4.

The third period was all Whitecaps with goals from Winny Brodt-Brown, a hat trick goal from Thunstrom and last goal of the game from Meaghan Pezon. Final score: Whitecaps 11, Maple Leafs 4. Even though the score was a little lopsided, the game was like watching a goal scoring highlight film. The fans were fantastic, cheering on both teams as they continued to work hard at both ends of the ice.  Whitecaps goalie Sanya Sandahl saved 38 shots for the game.

Whitecaps would like to thank the hosts for their hospitality and generosity at the clinics and meet and greets.

One more away series will take place in Winnipeg the first weekend in March.

Visit MinnesotaWhitecaps.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter @whitecapshockey for updated schedules and information about the team!