Calgary, Alta – Calgary used the home ice to their advantage and won 4-2 against the Brampton Thunder in the first game of the CWHL Clarkson Cup Playoffs.

The game opened with a ceremonial faceoff featuring Barry Heck, the CEO of Winsport, Brad Pascal, the Assistant General Manager of the Calgary Flames and Pascal’s daughter Brooke. A special presentation was made to Inferno forward Jessica Campbell, awarded the Joan Snyder Award for demonstrating remarkable community service and volunteerism.

The beginning of the first period started with aggression and saw both teams taking two penalties. The Inferno had multiple goal attempts, almost scoring two goals within the first ten minutes of the game. With five minutes left in the first period Hayley Wickenheiser’s shot from the blue line found the top shelf. Her goal was assisted by Hayleigh Cudmore and Blayre Turnbull. Two minutes later the Brampton Thunder were unable to save another pressure attempt though Jillian Saulnier jammed the puck in the net, with assists from Rebecca Johnston and Brianne Jenner. The final score in the first period was 2-0 for the Calgary Inferno.

“Our first period was something that we could really build on and I think that was a great start. Going into tomorrow we will focus on that and the other stuff we did well, and try to keep our mistakes to a minimum,” said Inferno forward Hayleigh Cudmore.

The second period began with just as much aggression, both teams taking another two penalties. The Inferno furiously fought for the puck, but were unable to capitalize on any power plays. The Thunder, however, were able to score a goal with five minutes left in the second period. Jenna McParland flew the puck down to the Inferno side, and slammed it in the net unassisted. The final score at the end of two periods was 2-1 for the Inferno.

Both teams maintained the rough play for the remainder of the game, the Inferno receiving three and the Thunder receiving two penalties. With 12 minutes left of the game, Turnbull scored the third goal for the Inferno during a four on four, assisted by Meaghan Mikkelson. With 4:36 left in the game, Rebecca Vint was able get her Brampton team within one goal of the Inferno on a short handed goal, assisted by Sarah Edney. With a minute left, and the Thunder determined to tie the game, they pulled their goalie Erica Howe, adding an extra attacker. They swarmed Delayne Brian, almost tying the game; however, Brian stood strong against the pressure attempt. With only six seconds left, Rebecca Johnston swept the puck away from the Thunder and flew to the unguarded gate, she slid the puck into the net unassisted, making the final score 4-2 for the Inferno.  

The shots on goal were 33 to 19 for the Calgary Inferno.

The three stars of the game are:

1. #27 Jillian Saulnier, Calgary Inferno

2. #3 Jocelyne Larocque, Brampton Thunder

3. #22 Hayley Wickheiser, Calgary Inferno

Join the Calgary Inferno tomorrow at 6:15 p.m. in the Markin MacPhail Arena in WinSport where the Calgary Inferno and the Brampton Thunder will either conclude or tie the weekend playoff series. If the series goes to game three, it will take place at the Markin MacPhail Arena on Sunday at 12:15pm.

Tickets for the 2016 Clarkson Cup Playoffs are $20 a game, and $45 for the entire Best-Of-3 Series and can be purchased by visiting http://store.cwhl.ca/. Clarkson Cup Final tickets are $20 and can be purchased at http://www.capitaltickets.ca/