Panthers hockey takes Aspen Fall Face-Off tournament title

Two West Elk girls’ hockey teams compete in Aspen

It was a triumphant weekend of hockey for two local girls’ hockey squads, the U19 and U14 West Elk Panthers, with the U14 team coming away with the Aspen Fall Face-Off tournament title.
Head coach Tony Lambert’s U19 hockey club got their first taste of hockey action this past weekend in Aspen. The first game saw the Panthers take on Denver’s Jr. Eagles. The Panthers out-shot the Eagles 24-12 but came out on the bottom side of the scoreboard 4-2. Eagles goalie Sydney Firman came up with some big saves. Mel Whiting scored the lone Panther goal in the third period, with assists going to Jen D’Aquila and Jessica Howard.
Next game the Panther U19 squad out-shot Colorado Select 34-4. Panther goalie Gabby Kalow recorded the shutout in a 2-0 victory. Marissa Lambert scored first: assisted by Jessie D’Aquila; then Lambert returned the favor by assisting on Jessie’s goal.
The third game pitted the strong Steamboat Skier skaters against the Panthers. The skiers were too strong out-shooting the Panther team 28-16, taking the game 6-2. Mel Whiting again found the back of the goal along with Howard, assisted by Erin Guy. Steamboat eventually went on to win the U19 division with a 2-1 victory over an equally strong Aspen Leaf team.
Last game for the U19 team was a new team from Wyoming. Tony Lambert said, “This team really can play.” The Wyoming team out-shot the Panthers 24-11 skating to a 6-1 victory. The lone West Elk goal went to Molly Pike, assisted by Lambert.
Crested Butte fielded a second team at the Aspen Fall Face-Off. The U14 squad coached by GJ Santelli, Tim Seifert and John Dethloff had a good bit of experience despite being a young team. The Panther U14 squad drew Aspen first. Despite being out-shot 15-3, the scrappy Panther girls skated to a 2-0 victory. A second period goal from Leila Nichols assisted by Elizabeth Stepanek and a third period goal from Ali McGuire is all the girls needed as Monika Olesen recorded the shutout. The hometown cheering section was stunned when the final buzzer went off with the Panthers on top.
Next up for Crested Butte was Summit from Breckenridge. The Panthers controlled this game out-shooting Summit 19-13 yet after three periods of hockey the two teams were deadlocked 0-0. Olesen notched her second shutout of the tournament.
Arvada was next for Crested Butte and what a game it turned out to be—despite being out-shot 20-8 the Panthers never gave up. Second period goals from McGuire unassisted and young Izzie Dethloff assisted by Kaitlyn Seifert and Hailey Pike made it 2-1 going into the third period.
Arvada’s Alex Reda tied the game up early in the third but Panther’s center McGuire answered with a short handed goal assisted by Bradley Santelli and Stepanek to make it 3-2 Panthers. Arvada’s Reda tied the game late in the third to skate to the 3-3 tie.
The U14 team had an early Sunday a.m. game against Colorado Select to try and reach the finals. Crested Butte out-shot the stubborn Select skaters 25-6 and skated to a 3-1 victory. Nichols netted one assisted by Stepanek while McGuire notched two.
Late Sunday afternoon was the showdown between state defending champ Arvada and your West Elk Panthers for the Fall Face Off trophy.
McGuire opened up the scoring from Nichols and Maddie Lambert in the first period. The game-winning goal came off of a terrific pass from Pike and Kendl Santelli to Kaitlyn Seifert. Olesen finished the tournament with a best 1.00 GAA. Panthers beat Arvada 2-1 and claim the Fall Face Off championship.
Coach Santelli said, “Our constant fore check throttled Arvada and shook them up.”
Coach Seifert commented, “The Arvada programs are deep, sending three teams to the finals in four divisions. We got them this time.”
Thanks from all the girls and coaches to Eric Roemer and The Wooden Nickel Fall Classic for taking care of our entry fees for both teams. A big thanks to all the youth hockey sponsors. Hocktober Camp makes a difference.