Green Gays and Ham v. The Greyt White Sharks

(Watch the full game here)

Drama was the name of the game at Hartmeyer Arena on Sunday night, as the undefeated Green Gays and Ham squared off against a Greyt White Sharks team that had shutout its last two opponents.

The Greyt White Sharks won the opening draw, but after a failed zone entry it would be the Green Gays and Ham that earned the first bit of offensive pressure. The Grey defense did a good job of getting in the way of shots to keep Green from scoring early.

Grey would get a chance of their own off a center ice faceoff win. After a prolonged period of zone time, Green attempted to clear the puck down the center, but it was picked off by k8 who read the play beautifully. They skated into the high slot and attempted a quick shot before being taken out, but Greg picked up the puck and fired a hard shot at Mary. Not only was it a great save by Mary to keep the game scoreless, it was her 1000th save in the MGHA!

https://twitter.com/kcolelli/status/824094058175930369

Kit would make some stellar saves of her own later in the period. Less than 20 seconds after Mary’s save, Kit managed to keep her skate on the post while Courtney and other Green Gays jammed at the puck in the crease. Somehow Kit was able to hold her ground, and the Grey defense cleared the puck behind the net.

Courtney would find the back of the net soon enough though. With just under six minutes left in the period, she broke away from the Grey defense and got Kit to commit the butterfly before tucking the puck in behind Kit’s right leg. Kit’s bad luck would continue less than a minute later, when Claire took a shot from the high circle that just squeaked past Kit’s left pad and in to double Green’s lead.

Grey would attempt to get on the board themselves, with some great chances from Amanda Forbes and k8, but neither we be able to solve Mary’s goaltending quite yet. The first period would end 2-0 Green, but the game was more evenly matched than the score let on.

Grey would come out in the second period looking to get back in the game. Amanda would continue her strong assault on the net, even collecting her own rebound for another shot, but Mary continued to hold strong. Despite their lack of luck on offense, Grey got a bit lucky on defense. Justin broke away and was poised for a quality scoring chance, but lost the puck off his stick before he could take a shot on Kit.

Grey finally got on the board with just under seven minutes to go in the period. Amanda passed down low, and the puck trickled behind Mary but not over the goal line. Greg was there to poke it home for the first Grey goal. The rest of the period would be all Grey. A pair of goals, one shorthanded, would put then in the lead for the first time in the game. It was a lead they would not relinquish.

A beauty of a goal from Amanda would extend the lead to 4-2 four minutes into the third period. Mary was down on the ice after making the initial save, and Amanda picked up the puck behind the net and lifted it to go bar down.

The goalies would really step up at this point. With Grey catching Green on a bad line change, Mary made an excellent pad save then leaped out of the crease to cover the puck and allow her team to reset. Kit made a few pad saves to preserve Grey’s lead, but Green would get one back after Claire capitalized on Amanda catching an edge.

The final two minutes were nail-biters. With Amanda catching another edge, this time it was Courtney who got a chance, but she shot high and wide. Mary would skate to the bench for the extra attacker, and Green almost tied it up, but an amazing block from k8 in the waning seconds clinched the win for the Greyt White Sharks. The win gave them a share of the league league, and the defeat of Green Gays and Ham leaves no more undefeated teams in the league. Stars of the game in my opinion are Claire for her two goals and k8 for their amazing defense.

Looking Ahead: The New Black v. The Greyt White Sharks

The last time these two teams met, the Greyt White Sharks skated away with a narrow 1-0 victory. Both teams have shown they are capable of high scoring games, so it seems that strong defense will prevail. This game could really go either way, but I’m giving the edge to the Greyt White Sharks after the incredible defensive showing from k8 and Amanda. The New Black may want to watch last week’s game and take notes. Join us on Sunday at Hartmeyer Arena at 7pm to catch the action. We will be joined by Community Sponsor GSAFE, and will celebrate the day at Shamrock, our Social Sponsor for the weekend.

    

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Hello fellow MGHAers and fans!

For those that don’t know me, I’m a first year player in the league. When I’m not playing hockey or working at my day job, I write about professional women’s hockey for SB Nation’s The Ice Garden. I’ve joined up with the league to write a weekly recap of the feature game, as well as promote some of the other cool events that make the MGHA so awesome.

If you have any feedback or suggestions about content you’d like to see, I’m all ears!

The Flamers v. The Lean Mean Pink Machines

If you didn’t have the privilege of catching the feature game last Sunday, you missed one of the most exciting MGHA games I’ve witnessed in my short time here. While some prefer to watch high-scoring “barn burner” games, my favorite hockey games are always the low-scoring “goalie battles”. And that is exactly what the Flamers and Lean Mean Pink Machines delivered.

The Flamers came out hot — pardon the pun — and forced Pink Machines’ goaltender, Leah, to make a glove save just 39 seconds into the game. The teams would trade chances throughout the first period, but both Leah and Flamers’ goalie Katy stood tall in their creases. Red looked as though they might break open the scoring with three minutes left in the period, but Leah made three consecutive saves from pointblank range to keep the game scoreless.

To start the second, the Flamers doubled-down on their strategy to pressure Leah early, forcing her to make another glove save, this time just 15 seconds into the period. The second period would mirror the first until the Flamers tallied a goal with under 7 minutes left. Austin walked into the zone, moved around the defender, and fired off a shot into the space he created, beating Leah blocker-side. Leah was not shaken though, and continued to make excellent saves, including a stick save on a point shot taken by Austin on the very next shift.

Not to be outdone, Katy shined in net for the Flamers in the third period. She came up with several big saves, including a truly unbelievable glove save on Jen Voichick to preserve the shutout in the dying minutes of the game.

https://twitter.com/kcolelli/status/822285718441627648

With the score still at 1-0, the Pink Machines would pull Leah from the net to get the extra attacker. Katy was again challenged, and the Flamers were forced to ice the puck twice, but they managed to hold on to squeak out the victory.

Stars of this game without a doubt have to go to Leah and Katy. Both goalies kept their team in the game and dazzled with some sharp flashes of the glove.

Looking Ahead: Green Gays and Ham v. The Greyt White Sharks

In next week’s feature game, Green Gays and Ham (3-0-3) are looking to stay undefeated. The Greyt white Sharks pose a great chance of spoiling this dream. Captain Greg already has eight points on the season (5g,3a) and Kit is holding down a 0.91 save percentage between the pipes. Be sure to join us on Sunday at 7pm in Hartmeyer Ice Arena to see how it plays out!

Hi All,

Here’s the MGHA social sponsor schedule for the second half of our season. Please contact me and Sarah Bottjen (sponsor manager) with any questions.

1/15 – Dexter’s
1/22 – Glass Nickel
1/29 – Shamrock + GSAFE Community Partner

2/5 Challenge Games – Valentine’s Theme Night

2/12 – Dexter’s
2/19 – Glass Nickel
2/26 – Shamrock

3/5 – Challenge Games – March Madness Theme Night

3/12 – Dexter’s
3/19 – Blades Against AIDS – TBD

3/26 – Championship Potluck Night

We’ll have these on the calendar soon.

Thanks,
Christina Libs
MGHA Vice President

Hi friends,

The Town Hall has been rescheduled for Monday, January 23rd at 7pm. It will be held at the Atwood Glass Nickel Pizza (2916 Atwood Ave) in the basement. We will provide pizza, there will be bar service (by which we mean there will be a bartender happy to give you drinks in exchange for yer moneys), and we’ll chat about how things are going this year. Please arrive promptly, so that everyone can get their pizza and settle down before we start chatting. The membership meeting will be held immediately prior to it at 6:30pm; members, please watch your inboxes for further information.

If you can’t make it, have something you’d like us to add to the agenda, or just want to give some feedback, please drop us a line here to help us prioritize topics and best facilitate the open forum discussion.

A reminder to those of you who have been involved in the league for at least a season that now is your chance to apply for membership if you haven’t already. Further information and the membership application can be found here or by logging into the website and going to Resources –> Membership. Please have all applications in by Sunday, January 22nd so that we can get ballots together. (If you’re new to the league this year, hold tight; you’ll get the chance to apply in the spring, after the season’s over but before our Annual Meeting where we do things like vote on Board Members and such.)

Finally, we look forward to seeing everyone this Sunday as league play resumes! (YAAAAAAAAAAY oh my gosh let’s never have Christmas and New Year’s on the weekends again.) Which reminds me, i need to get my skates sharpened–have you done that lately?

Keep your stick on the ice,

-k8- (they/them)
on behalf of your Board (Christina, Randi, Shelly, Tim, Matthew, Brian et moi)

Hello MGHA!

Hope everyone had a great holiday! Are you ready to skate off all of those extra cookies and drinks? I know I am!

So, let’s do this! Check out the practice schedule below. We’re also looking for some help. Take a look at our makeshift classifieds ad and let us know if you can help.

Thanks!
Tim (he/him/his)
– MGHA Board and Hockey Ops

Practice Schedule

Here’s the practice schedule for this Sunday, January 8th:

• 4:40 PM – Black / White
• 5:50 PM – Red / Gold
• 7:00 PM – Pink / Orange
• 8:10 PM – Maroon / Blue
• 9:20 PM – Lt Blue / Green

Please be there. Practices are great team-building times and this is a prime opportunity to work on some of your team’s weaknesses. If you can’t be there, please email your captains and let them know within the next day or two. They’ll be planning a practice based on the number of skaters attending.

We’re Looking for Help!

Oh! And by the way, are you looking for an opportunity to help the league? If so, do I have a role for you! The MGHA is looking for the following:

The “Stats Magician” (name flexible – you can pick it) would help us to make sure the website stats stay up-to-date week after week. We’d give you access to the website so that you can input the scores, penalties, and saves/shots from the week’s games. The process is fairly easy once you do it once or twice. This role will likely only take about 20-30 minutes a week.

Our “Gear Guru” would help us by taking care of donated gear. This person would keep an inventory of the gear and occasionally manage that inventory, checking to ensure that the gear is in good shape and, in the case of helmets, making sure they are not expired.

If you’d like to help with either of these awesome positions, let me know. These positions, of course, would count toward the volunteer time required for membership. (Note: Membership is different than just league participation. If you’re interested in membership, please send us a note via the website. We’ll also be sending more info on membership in the near future.)

December brings colder weather, 3 more games, and the potential for pond hockey! Check out what’s coming for the MGHA in the new winter month.

Check out when your favorite teams play on our Schedule, catch previous broadcasts in the Fan Zone, and see previous game pictures on our Facebook Albums!

Feature Game Preview

By MGHA Radio Host Zac Sielaff

We’ve got some exciting Feature Games coming up before the winter break, starting on December 4th with the GryffinDucks taking on the Flamers. While both teams feature solid offensive threats, look to the goaltenders in this battle. The GryffinDucks have their net protected by MGHA veteran Ryan Birdsall, who has over 1300 saves to his name. Flamers goalie Katy Werginz is new to the league, but has already proven herself to be more than capable, pitching a shutout in her MGHA debut against the Golden Skate Warriors.

Social Sponsor: Shamrock Bar

Speaking of the Warriors, they’ll take on House of Blues on the 11th. Both teams benefit from veteran leadership and a solid core of talent on both sides of the ice, giving them a very balanced attack. It’ll be great to see how each team adapts to the other, and this game could go either way.

Social Sponsor: Dexter’s Pub

Finally on the 18th, Bluega Whales will take on The Unforgiveables. The name of the game for both of these clubs is speed. In the end, this match may come down to whose legs last the longest. Hope everyone had a great thanksgiving, see you on the ice!”

Social Sponsor: Glass Nickel

RSVP on our Facebook page and event, and we’ll see you at Hartmeyer Ice Arena!

—

PS: we’re planning for more Community Partners in January, email social@madisongayhockey.org if you know a community organization interested in tabling with us!

 

 

Nothing to do on your Sunday afternoon? Come join the MGHA for a “Day at the Rink” skate on our home ice at Hartmeyer Ice Arena from 1:30pm – 4pm! Take the ice with family, friends, and D.C. Eagle of the Madison Capitals. Holiday treats will be provided. Best of all, it’s completely free.

After you tire yourself out on the ice, stick around in the stands for an MGHA Thanksgiving Potluck. While you eat, MGHA players will be facing off in skill-level separated challenge games. First up will be the advanced skaters, followed by the first intermediate game. Then our beginners will square off, showcasing how far they’ve come in just a few short weeks. The night will end with one last intermediate game. Did we mention this is all free?

We hope to see you there!

PS: Check out our new Apparel Page to get your MGHA threads for the holidays!

GOBBLE GOBBLE GOBBLE!

Translation: Happy Thanksgiving MGHA!

To celebrate, we have some challenge games. We’ve changed up the order so that skaters have the opportunity to skate at different times than normal. Please sign up for the game(s) that you would like to play. We ask that you self select a game that you can safely play in.  Sign up for one game until midnight Friday; after midnight on Friday, you may sign up for additional games.

Schedule:
4.40 – Advanced
5:50 – Intermediate
7:00 – Beginner
8:10 – Intermediate

Hope to see you on the ice!

-Hockey Ops (Brian, Mark, Tim, Nichole, Matthew, John, Kelli)

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