Chaos one win away from wrapping up series
A 3-0 win at Totem One last night gave the Cochrane Chaos the edge in their southern semifinal series against the Calgary Titans.
Chaos went into the second game 2-0 with goals from Zoe Walker and Kaley Mueller. Walker scored her second goal of the night to wrap up the scoring.
“We smothered them and played so well that we stole their chances,” says Chaos head coach Derek Loomer. “I think we have other gear, but we just didn’t need it tonight.”
Chaos’ close-checking style limited the Titans to 13 shots. Just one surprised goalie Elle Fournier but didn’t go in.
“3-0, 1-0, 10-0, it doesn’t matter,” says Loomer. “As long as we beat that score, I’m happy.”
Walker switched to defense when she joined Chaos last season after playing against Midgets in Calgary.
“She’s been great for us at D and she just has a great shot, great patience,” says Loomer. “She’s like ice when she carries the puck, there’s no panic in her. She has incredible power when she shoots the puck, so she came up with a few places today where she could make that work and it was all about taking advantage of her opportunities.”
Walker says her first came after taking a pass off the point on a power play and the second appeared to be tipped by a Titans player and found the five-hole.
She says a lot of energy went into the game in the dressing room.
“People are pretty pumped up, the energy is there. Everyone is pretty excited today for the start of the playoffs and we’re looking forward to getting out of there tomorrow.”
Game two takes place today at 1 p.m. at Winsport.
Central Alberta Amazons upset Edmonton Eagles
In North Division playoff action yesterday, the Central Alberta Amazons upset the Edmonton Wolves and won back-to-back games to advance to the North Finals. With just four wins this season, the Amazons’ victory tells what makes playoff hockey so special.
Loomer says although the Amazons have only had four wins in the regular season, their goaltender Madison McLaren is absolutely incredible and can be a game changer.
The chaos knows firsthand the feeling of going into a series as a favorite and getting upset. Last year they were surprised by the Lethbridge Eagles in the South Finals.
“We should have been top of the table last year like we’ve been all season, but when you come up against a hot goalkeeper and a passionate team, anything can happen,” says Loomer.
“Our girls are aware of that and we are very determined to focus on playing our game the best we can and trying to avoid something like what happened with Wolves. It could happen to anyone and we’re pulling it in. I don’t want that to happen to us this year.”