With our two 'A's off skating around some ice pads in Windsor, Ontario the rest of the girls were back at the beautiful NIC trying to earn the second victory of the season over an openly-confident Coventry side. The wisdom and experience of Laura Urquhart and Julia Coughill made them the Coaches' choice for the role of 'A's for the game. It had been a while since these two teams had met and therefore the Nottingham girls were cautious in their approach to the game. Cautious but focussed - even some sexual stripy socks weren't going to distract Frenchy's attention to the task at hand!
The Vipers were in possession of the puck for large periods of the first period; however, they were unable to create too many clear-cut chances and were unable to convert the ones they did. With less than 3 minutes to go in the first period, Coventry took advantage of 1 of their 4 shots on goal (first period) as a defensive mix-up allowed the visitors to take the lead going into the break. However, an icing violation at the end of the first caused them to go into the second on a penalty kill.
After an encouraging team talk by coach JS, the Vipers did not let their heads dip or their performance drop. It took only 9 seconds into the second period (their third power play chance) for Hannah Worthington to drive wide, fake a pass, and put the puck in the top of the net to tie the game. Unfortunately, shortly afterwards, Vipers found themselves having to defend a 5-on-3 penalty. They did so admirably, regained control, and when even-handed again, took the lead for the first time thanks to a nice goal by Laura Smith using a nice new stick (Captain Coop getting an assist for the goal and brownie points from the coach for the advice in changing Laura's stick!!!!)
The game was far from won as Vipers maintained their slender 1-goal cushion. Despite a series of power-play chances at the start of the third, Vipers were not able to find a way pass the Coventry keeper, who did have a good game. However, on the fourth power-play of the third period the pressure finally told as Vipers' Laura Urquhart hammered one into the roof of the Coventry net from the blue-line. Shots on net were 31-13 in favour of the home-team, and the final score 3-1. Once again a good, solid all-round team performance earned Vipers those crucial two points, and they did it showing a lot of character and composure.
At the post-match press conferece JS told this reporter:
"I'm sorry who are you, are you an acredited member of the press? How did you think the game went? Oh really...shuuuttt uuuuuuuppppp!"