By Amanda Sload
As senior captain Lily Christensen said, "Last night was a crazy game, but I was very confident with the team; I knew were were capable of winning".
Darien started out strong in the first period, generating offense, playing solid defense, and outshooting Ridgefield 8 to 1. The first period was the only time during the game when one team had a distinct advantage over the other. The momentum changed constantly throughout the majority of the game as each team had close calls and great stops.
In the second period, Ridgefield upped its game, barely edging Darien in shots, 9 to 8. Though the period was tight, Ridgefield was able to put one in the goal just a few seconds before the end of the period, gaining a 1-0 lead.
Though down, the Blue Wave was determined to come back. The team had played Ridgefield just a few days ago and was able to tie the game after being down 2-0. In this even more important game, the girls knew they had to put the puck in the net.
A few minutes into the third period, junior Shannon Hall made a huge stop in net on a Rdgefield breakaway to keep the Wave within one goal. Throughout the game, Hall made 15 stops, holding Darien in the game. The Wave managed 33 shots on net.
Though Darien had chances throughout the period, they were still down and pulled the goalie with just over a minute remaining. With the extra skater on the ice, freshman Georgia Cassidy, assisted by sophomore Amanda Sload, found the net as she stuffed the puck through Ridgefield's goal with 16 seconds remaining in the game.
Now tied, the teams entered overtime. The first overtime was tight with strong defense on both ends, just 3 shots for Darien and 2 for Ridgefield, and neither team found the back of the net. However, at 3:55 in double overtime, Cassidy did it again as she scored on a breakaway to advance Darien to the finals.
Christensen was happy with the team's success and effort overall. "Going in the third period we all knew we had a job to do and luckily we got it done! The team played well, we just had a few issues getting stuck on the boards and clearing the puck out of the zone. Afterwards was amazing-- everyone was going nuts in the locker room!" said Christensen.
Christensen was happy with the team's success and effort overall. "Going in the third period we all knew we had a job to do and luckily we got it done! The team played well, we just had a few issues getting stuck on the boards and clearing the puck out of the zone. Afterwards was amazing-- everyone was going nuts in the locker room!" said Christensen.
Come support Darien as they battle rival New Canaan for the FCIAC title on Saturday the 23rd at 3:40 at Terry Conners Ice Rink.
Photo caption: Cassidy dekes the Ridgefield goalie on the breakaway to complete the 2-1 OT win
Photo credits: Darien Athletic Foundation
To view video clips from the game, visit http://www.darientimes.com/16294/dt-vision-video-of-wave-over-tigers-in-double-ot/
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