Blades hockey charges through league play

Head to New Mexico for next challenge

It can be a bit unnerving rattling off a series of easy wins as the end of the season as playoffs approach. On one hand, at least the West Elk Blades aren’t playing down to their competition. On the other, hopefully they aren’t getting complacent and losing their edge.
Two weeks ago coach Tony Lambert feared the latter, wondering if his team was losing its fire but after this past weekend, everything appears to be in order.
“Sometimes it takes them a while to get going but they brought it the whole weekend,” says Lambert. “I was very impressed.”
The Blades hosted the Colorado Junior Eagles this past weekend, cruising to two wins by a combined score of 17-0 and are sitting at the top of the league standings with a record of 10-1-3.
The Junior Eagles came to Gunnison short on bench players and short on experience with a young roster, and the Blades wasted no time taking advantage of the situation, jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first period of the first game.
It didn’t help matters much for the Junior Eagles as they spent close to six minutes of the opening period with a player in the penalty box.
Maddie Lambert opened the scoring two minutes into the game during a four-on-four situation picking the low corner off a pass from Kaitlyn Seifert. Three minutes later Bradley Santelli picked off a pass in neutral ice and skated through a couple of Junior Eagles to score. One minute later the Blades took advantage of another power play as Lambert netted her second goal of the game and Leila Nichols capped the four-goal outburst, scoring during another power play off an assist from Ashley Crittendon and Haley Shrieves.
It was during the initial scoring frenzy that Lambert saw exactly what he’s been looking for out of his team—intensity and getting the defense involved in almost all four goals.
“The whole season we’ve been working to expand our offense,” explains Lambert. “We’re not a one-dimensional offense, we try to involve the defense, cycling the puck down low and hitting the defense in the high slot.”
During a mad scramble in front of the Junior Eagle net, Izzie Dethloff dove after a loose puck to swat it through for a 5-0 Blades lead early in the second period. The shelling continued in the second period with the Junior Eagle goalie providing a number of saves to hold off the constant barrage before Elizabeth Stepanek carried the puck up the boards and found Hailey Pike trailing in the high slot with a pass. Pike settled the tape-to-tape pass to beat the Junior Eagle goalie with a quick shot and the Blades were up 6-0 heading into the third period.
The Blades continued to cycle the puck low in the zone to set up several more chances in the third period. Kaitlyn Seifert found Crittendon open in the high slot for the Blades’ seventh goal and Pike scored once more for the 8-0 Blades win.
The Blades continued to exploit the Junior Eagles with their expanded attack in the second game of the day, cruising to a 9-0 win. Maddie led the Blades with three goals and the Blades defense either scored or assisted on seven of the nine goals.
 Lambert touts the players’ effort and the work of assistant coach Katie Brawner as keys to the Blades’ success so far.
“Katie’s encyclopedia of drills is expansive and keeps it exciting and keeps their skills improving,” says Lambert. “I’m excited about their work ethic. They’re realizing hard work pays off.”
Lambert adds that while a lot of their power comes on the offensive end of things, the defense provides an anchor for the team to build on as they press forward and pressure the puck.
“The back check makes the game that much easier but we have an outstanding defense,” says Lambert. “We definitely have two of the best defensemen in the state and the younger girls are stepping up.”
The Blades head to New Mexico this weekend for their final games of the regular season and Lambert expects a tough trip for his team but hopes to get the momentum going early on.
“New Mexico is a very tough team,” says Lambert. “We’re gonna go down there and hopefully open it up in the first game early.”
The Blades will have a week off after that before heading to Denver for the state tournament.