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Thomas Kovarik

DEFENDING HOME ICE. Forward Ella Berthiaume defends a Breck skater as they move across the ice.

The Metro-South Phoenix lost their first game at Drake Arena on Nov. 16, 0-3. This was their first time playing against Breck in two years and since the creation of the new co-op that includes St. Agnes, De La Salle, Burnsville and St. Paul Academy.

After starting the season with two close losses, the team was still going into the game with confidence. Goalie Millie Farrington was positive about the night despite their current record. “We’ve had losses, but they’ve been good losses. A lot of effort [from the team],” Farrington said.

As it was their first game at Drake, the starting lineup included many SPA players, with Ella Bond on offense, and Aurelia Meza, Nora Grande and Charlotte Goings on defense. They welcomed on the ice the Junior Spartans from the lower school: Greta Bartholomew, Winona Carr and Meza’s little sister Sullivan Dahl. “It was a very wholesome experience that she was able to skate out with me,” Meza said.

The first period was eventful with four penalties and movement up and down the ice. Neither of the teams were able to get a puck through the goalies, but ended the first with 7 and 11 shots on goal. The game got underway with penalties for both teams for game misconduct and they continued to rack up four between them in the period.

During the second period, the game moved quickly towards the Phoenix’s net and stayed there until their first goal at 11:30 after consistent shots on goal and five penalties. As the period continued, the Phoenix had a few close calls but failed to get through the Mustang defenders.

The final period came with drama in the box as Bond received a five-minute major penalty for high sticking, resulting in a power play goal for the Mustangs. “You know, it’s kind of sad because I set us up for failure,” Bond said.

As Bond returned to the ice, the Mustangs were quick with a goal to the lower right corner net and the bench went wild. For the rest of the game, the Phoenix continued to push the puck towards the Mustangs’ goal but none went in. Bond was not the only one with a penalty this period, as the game ended with both teams down a player, and a total of more than a dozen penalties.

The Phoenix have their next game Nov. 30 against Prior Lake at 7:30 p.m. at Drake.