BOBCATS BOUNCE BUCCANEERS-2-0-FINE SEASON UNDERWAY
2012-13 CNY Bobcats 10u Team
Jeff Pexton-MHTS/PGI Photo
The CNY Bobcats 10u all-girls hockey team notched a solid 2-0 victory over the Oswego Lady Bucaneers this afternoon in a New York State Amateur Hockey Association – Central Section game at the Clinton Arena.
Ashley Carr and Autumn Mish scored back to back first period goals, just :37 seconds apart to pace the Cats offensively.
Going up 2-0 early, it looked as though it was going to be a big day on the scoreboard for the Bobcats. Oswego’s scrappy goalie, Ashley Finch had other plans though.
The pint sized puck stopper was nothing short of amazing between the pipes over the course of the next 30 minutes, stopping all 25 shots she faced and kept her team within striking distance all afternoon.
Bella Callahan (37) takes a moment to reflect during a break in the action.
This 10 and under team is one of four being put on the ice by the CNY Bobcats this season.
The organization, which is dedicated to the training and development of girls ice hockey, also has teams at 12 and under, 14 and under and new for this season, an 8 and under ”cross-ice” team.
For the many in attendance at the historic Clinton Arena today, the efforts of the CNY Bobcats organization and the dedication of their young players were on display from goal line to goal line.
These youngsters, (one of which has only been playing hockey for a little over a month) play a pass first, shoot second style of offense.
This, coupled with the aggressive style of play that the girls manning the blue line adhere to, are evidence enough to this old rink rat that these kids are learning to play the game the right way.
Speaking of playing the game the right way, Cats goaltender Luciana “Lou” Robertelli pitched a shutout for her team today, making quick work of all 6 shots she faced from the pesky band of Buccos from Oswego.
Lizzie Battle (16) does just that with Oswego’s Sophia Catalone (7) during early play.
Talking with Bobcats head coach Sheridan Mish prior to this afternoon’s contest, the mission of the organization is crystal clear, to wit: to give girls in this area a place to learn and play hockey competitively.
That mission seems to be working well to this point as just last weekend they finished second place in the Bay State Breakers Hockey Tournament in Cape Cod, MA, defeating some strong Northeastern competition along the way.
“We are getting to a point where we can offer girls a chance to play all girls competition right in one place from the learn to play, all the way up” Coach Mish said, adding “the organization is growing each year,and with more and more girls picking up hockey, we’ll hopefully keep on growing”.
Coach Mish’s daughter Alison is a graduate of the Bobcats program and now a member of the NCAA Div III Buffalo State Lady Bengals Hockey team.
The growth of girls hockey nationwide is nothing short of tremendous over the last 20 years. According to USA Hockey, in the 1992-93 season, there were slightly more than 10,000 girls registered to play competitively in the United States.
Ashley Carr (24) starts a first period rush.
That number has skyrocketed to just over 68,000 for the 2011-12 season,and this season promises yet another increase. United States women’s hockey has also risen to high levels on the world stage, bringing home medals in every Winter Olympic Games since 1998.
One Bobcats player who seems to be very happy with the opportunity to wear the big green cat on the front of her jersey is Shaylee Kiger of Clinton. Shaylee just joined the Bobcats this Fall, as a first year hockey player.
“I just started playing a month ago,and I’m learning a lot and having lots of fun” she told MHTS. Obviously the experience of playing hockey with the girls is as much fun off the ice as it is on it for Shaylee, who added “the girls are great,and we have fun together, I’m really glad I decided to join and learn how to play”.
We also had a chance to meet one of the Bobcats veterans, Isabella “Bella” Callahan, who is from Deerfield and playing her 3rd season in the organization.
“I love it” Bella told MHTS of her experiences as a hockey playing Bobcat, adding “all of the girls are good friends, the coaches are really nice,and we have so much fun together, oh, and we have a really good team too”. Bella is also an accomplished soccer goalie when she’s not defending the blue line during hockey season.
Autumn Mish (25) gives new meaning to following thru on a shot as she lets go a second period wrister.
The Bobcats 10u squad will return to action next weekend when they play close to home at the Utica Aud, where they will take on Mohawk Valley.
For information on this great organization and to find out how your child can get involved, please visit www.cnybobcats.com.
Best of luck ladies for a great winter ahead!
Bobcats 10u Roster:
Shaylee Kiper
Emma Blazer
Isabella “Bella” Baker
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Battle
Ashley Carr
Autumn Mish
Isabelle “Izzy” LeBlond
Ariel “Ari” Williamson
Luciana “Lou” Robertelli
Isabella “Bella” Callahan
Head Coach – Sheridan Mish
Assistant Coach – Ron Lamandia
Assistant Coach – Sara Carr
Oswego goalie Ashley Finch (20) was a stone wall today with stops like this on the Bobcats Autumn Mish (25) late in the game.
