Champions, Champions, Champions

This past weekend was an exciting time for the Glasgow U19 Lady Ice Dawgs Hockey Team. Glasgow, Bozeman, Missoula and Flathead Hockey teams were brought together to face-off for the State Championship Title in Bozeman, Mont. The tournament proved to be a fantastic matchup for the four teams!

Game #1

Glasgow would start the tournament by facing the Flathead Flames Friday afternoon. The Flames is a co-op team made up of girls from Kalispell and Whitefish. The Ice Dawgs and the Flames traded blows throughout the game, but Glasgow started the battle with a penalty less than two minutes into the first period. Glasgow's first goal would be by Alex Simensen, assisted by Josey Uphaus. Two minutes later, Kennedy Schmidt would help out Simensen for her second goal. There would be two more Glasgow goals in the first period. Helping out Schmidt for the third goal were Simensen and Jaysee Wixson, while Simensen and Schmidt lent a helping hand to Uphaus for the fourth goal of the period. Laurel Davidson "snuck" one past Autumn Gault for the Flames, making it 4-1 at the end of the first period.

The second period would see four more goals from Glasgow. Wixson assisted Bailee Holstein for goal #5 and four minutes later, Madison Knodel would also assist Holstein for goal # 6. Simensen helped out Uphaus for goal #7 and Holstein would return the favor to Simensen for goal #8. The Flames scored one more time in the second period, with a goal from Amelia Hanko. The game-intensity increased in the second period with 3 more penalties from Glasgow and 2 from Flathead.

The third period saw another goal by Simensen with an assist from Schmidt and Uphaus. Knodel scored the final goal with an assist from Holstein. Three more penalties would come from Glasgow and two from the Flathead Flames during this period.

Simensen scored a total of 4 goals during this game ... we'll call that a "hat-trick plus!" Ice Dawgs goalie, Gault, did a fantastic job keeping the Flames at bay. Gault took 26 shots-on-goal with 24 saves! Final score: Glasgow Ice Dawgs 10, Flathead Flames 2. Author's note: The Flames played a fantastic game; they're sure to improve as they get more playing time together.

Game #2

Glasgow faced Missoula in the second game on Saturday morning. Missoula was hungry for the win but the Ice Dawgs kept the Bruins out of the kitchen for most of the game! Once again, Simensen started the scoring process with an assist from Schmidt. Schmidt followed Simensen's lead for goal #2 with an assist by Uphaus. The Bruins scored one goal late in the first period. Three, first period penalties would force Glasgow to play short-handed for 6 minutes of the 17 minute period, yet still scoring 2 goals.

The second period would see a goal from Schmidt, unassisted. Two more penalties from Glasgow and one from the Missoula Bruins would end the second period.

The third period would see a goal from Baylie Chappell with an assist from Knodel and an unassisted goal from Simensen. Gault took on 35 shots-on-goal with a staggering 34 saves.

The Lady Ice Dawgs took control of this game right from the start and never let up. Final score: Glasgow Lady Ice Dawgs 5, Missoula Bruins 1. Author's note: This game was played hard by both teams. Despite the penalties, the game was aggressive but fair. It was obvious from the start that Glasgow came to play. It was fun to watch this hard-fought victory.

Game #3

Now this is a case where we "went to a fight and a hockey game broke out." Rivals from the start ... rivals to the end!

Glasgow scores first! With an assist from Brett See, Chappell put Glasgow on the board. It took only minutes for Bozeman to retaliate with a goal of their own. Penalties run amuck, Bozeman racked up four penalties in the first period compared to Glasgow's two penalties.

The second period would see two more goals from Bozeman and no goals from Glasgow. The second period however, Glasgow would swap places with Bozeman on the penalty-side-of-things. Four penalties for Glasgow and only one from Bozeman in the second period.

About eight minutes into the third period, Bozeman scored their fourth and final goal. With one minute remaining, Glasgow added one more to the score board. It was a goal by Schmidt with an assist from Uphaus. Swapping places once again in the penalty area, Bozeman committed four penalties compared to Glasgow's one penalty in the third period.

Glasgow goalie Gault was hit with an astounding 52 shots on goal and 48 saves. A total of 16 penalties between the two teams, nine for Bozeman and seven for Glasgow. That's 32 minutes of short-handed playing! Final score: Bozeman Icedogs 4, Glasgow Ice Dawgs 2. Author's note: This match-up was a bit questionable in the area of safety. With 16 penalties between the two teams, coupled to an all-out desire to win, this game quickly became fast and furious! One of the fastest games I've ever seen. Fun to watch but bordering on being out-of-hand.

Game #4. The Championship!

This tournament was based on wins and losses, as well as total points scored for and against. That put Glasgow against Missoula for the State Championship Title.

Glasgow against Missoula in Bozeman...perfect. Missoula was the first to score at the nine minute mark in the first period. Glasgow wouldn't retaliate until the second period, with an unassisted goal from Emily Kolstad. This goal brought the Glasgow team and fans to life. Four minutes into the third period, Schmidt put one in the net with an assist from Teagan Fossum. Four minutes later, Schmidt did it again with help from Simensen. Glasgow breathed easier...for a moment that is!? Missoula's Ali Elliott scored, bringing the score back to a one point margin. Enter Simensen! Once again, with an assist from her goal-mate Schmidt, Simenson pushed one past the Bruins goalie to widen the gap by two points again. The Glasgow fans were breathing easier! As the clock ticked down, all our smiles widened! 5,4,3,2,1...They did it! The Glasgow Lady Ice Dawgs win the State Championship! They're going home Champions! We're all going home Champions!

Gault took 29 shots on goal with 27 saves. That's around a 93% success rate in the goaltending department for the whole weekend. What a way for Autumn to finish her senior year.

Six penalties in the whole game...not too bad!? Four penalties for Glasgow and two for Missoula. Final Score: Glasgow Lady Ice Dawgs 4, Missoula Bruins 2. Authors note: This was a fun game to watch! A real nail-biter the entire time. I'm surprised the rink's glass is still intact from all the cheering and glass-slapping!

Even though there are a lot of the same names being tossed around in this story, credit goes to the entire team. Without the constantly changing lines which allows each and every girl playing time and "rest time" respectively, these "wins" would not have been possible. Some of the names not mentioned but of equal importance would be Amy Lawrence, Krista Hentges, Heidi Moon, Kassie Moore, Maddy Uphaus and Carissa Wixson. These girls provided outstanding offense and defense that kept all of the games going in the direction we needed. Every member of the team played a huge role; they took shots on goal, they chased down their opponents, they blocked shots ... they did everything they could to make sure Glasgow came out on top! The absolute hustle that each and every girl put forth was amazing, and the importance of the entire team cannot be overlooked. I personally witnessed each and every team member giving everything they had.

The U19 Girls are coached by Ken Schmidt, Mike Wesely and Chelsey Wixson. These dedicated coach's had another great season with a great bunch of girls! These coach's spend many hours each week working with all of these girls and their time is so appreciated, and winning the State Championship is just the icing on the cake! The U19 Girls Hockey Team are heading to Jamestown, N.D. March 4-7 for the North Dakota State Championship. Here's hoping the Glasgow, U19 Lady Ice Dawgs can do it again.

The Glasgow U19 Lady Ice Dawgs include the following members (in no particular order):

Baylie Chappell, Teagan Fossum, Amy Lawrence, Autumn Gault, Krista Hentges, Bailee Holstein, Madison Knodel, Emily Kolstad, Heidi Moon, Kassie Moore, Kennedy Schmidt, Brett See, Alex Simensen, Josey Uphaus, Maddy Uphaus, Carissa Wixson and Jaycee Wixson.

On a sad note, this tournament would be the last Montana State Tournament for five Glasgow Senior girls. Autumn Gault, Josey Uphaus, Alex Simensen, Brett See and Jaysee Wixson. But on a happy note, these five girls will have the lasting memory as teammates of the 2016 U19 Montana State Championship Hockey Team.

Thanks to the Valley Event Center right here in Glasgow. A fantastic facility for everyone, and a great asset to our community.

As for the fire truck and police escort into town with a caravan of Glasgow fans following and honking the entire way ... priceless. Thank you. What a memory for these girls ... Glasgow is the best!