The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Catch them at Big Mine this Friday
The West Elk (Crested Butte) Panther U14 girls’ hockey team went 4 and 0 last weekend in Gunnison, with wins over the Durango Steamers and Colorado Select.
The Panthers skated past the Steamers 12-0 and 10-0. Durango’s squad joined the MSGHL this year and has a young but energetic team. Coach GJ Santelli gave the girls a chance to play different positions during both games. Izzie Dethloff replaced Panther net minder Monika Olesen during the second game and preserved the shutout. Santelli noted, “The girls moved the puck, looked for open ice and made a bunch of good plays.”
The Panthers also took care of business by polishing off Colorado Select 3-0 and 6-0. Panther goalie Olesen recorded both shutouts and has a tidy 1.75 GAA in league play. Panther coach Tim Seifert told the girls during pre-game, “Forecheck this team, hustle and you will cause turnovers and be rewarded.” Seifert added, “The 6-zip second Select game might have been their best hockey game played so far this year—they were buzzing all over the big sheet of ice.”
Goal scorers over the weekend games were Kaitlin Seifert, Kendl Santelli, Hailey Pike, Ali McGuire, Maddie Lambert, Leila Nichols, Ryan Carroll, Elizabeth Stepanek and Bradley Santelli.
The four wins moved the U14 Panthers into third place in league play. This weekend the U14 squad will skate against the U14 Gunnison Blades and U14 Summit. Panther U16 girls are idle this weekend.
The U14 Panthers will host the U14 Blades Friday, February 4 at 6 p.m. at Big Mine Ice Rink. Come out and support your girls hockey team—GO PANTHERS!
