Women's hockey in Sun Valley crossed generational lines last weekend during a two-day tournament that brought together girls' and women's teams from the Gem State for some camaraderie on blades.
Highlight was the two win-one loss weekend performance of the Sun Valley Youth Hockey U-19 girls' team. Strong defensive play marked Sun Valley's 6-0 wins over Idaho Falls and Salmon, and a 2-0 loss to Boise.
Saturday's "Senior Game" against Idaho Falls was perhaps "the best all-around game I have ever seen them play," said Sun Valley coach Dave Hennessy about his girls. Dylan Peterson and Daniela Stokes each scored two goals.
Captain Ashley Hesteness, honored along with fellow seniors Nellie Brown and Morgan Pintler on Saturday, also scored a three-goal hat trick in the 6-0 victory over Salmon. Goalie Emma Wilander had a strong weekend, stopping 24 of the 25 shots she faced.
Weekend scoring: Daniela Stokes 2 goals/4 assists, Ashley Hesteness 4/1, Dylan Peterson 4/1, Nellie Brown 1/2, Frannie Sensenbrenner 1/2, Ellie Swanson 0/2 and Morgan Pintler 0/2. Other skaters were Kelly Hennessy, Erin Hennessy and Georgy Goodwin.
The "Salmon Valley" U14s, a team comprised of girls from Salmon and Sun Valley, played two games against Idaho Falls, falling 2-1 and 5-1. Scoring goals were Camille Bourret and Georgy Goodwin. Other skaters were Allison Fluetsch, Abigail Laughy, Kelsey Kittleson, and Betsy Sensenbrenner.
The Sun Valley women formed a team and played three games—winning twice 9-0 over Salmon and 2-0 over Idaho Falls, and falling 3-1 to Boise. Veteran goalie Linda McMahon stopped 20 Boise shots in her appearance, and Wilander (14 saves) won against Idaho Falls.
Women's scoring: Wendy Speth 2 goals/3 assists, Lucy Chubb 3/2, Merri Whitehead 1/2, Jini Griffith 1/2, Hannah Carr 2/0, Sarah Benson 1/1, Jen Embree 1/0, Sara Schroeder 0/3, Kris Miller 0/2, Dotty Sarchett 1/0, Annie O'Sullivan 0/1. Other skaters were Lacie Hernandez and Casey Mills Kelly.
The tournament theme, "Skate the Rink Pink," was designed to increase breast cancer awareness. Proceeds supported breast cancer screening for the uninsured and underinsured at St. Luke's.
Saluted Saturday at Sun Valley Skating Center as seniors of the Sun Valley Youth Hockey U-19 girls’ hockey team were, from left, Ashley Hesteness, Nellie Brown and Morgan Pintler. Photo by Willy Cook
