Panthers hockey goes on post season run to state

U14 going to state championships

The Crested Butte Panthers U14 girls hockey team advanced to the MSGHL state championships this weekend at the U.S. Olympic training site at the World Arena.

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The Panther squad needed one point last weekend against Vail on the road to secure the fourth seed in the tournament. Crested Butte took care of Vail 4-0 and 6-1, out shooting them 65 to 19 shots on goal for both games.
Monika Olesen recorded her first U14 shutout in the first game against Vail. Bradley Santelli scored from the point to open up the scoring for the Panther squad, followed by Jessie D’Aquila, Marissa Lambert and Ali Sunter.
Game two was a blistering Panther attack as the girls scored three goals in 15 seconds during the first period. D’Aquila recorded her first hat trick of the season, along with Abby Whiting’s two goals, and team captain Marissa Lambert finished off Vail at their rink with the final tally of the game.
Coach Tony Lambert was quite pleased with “the pesky Panther pressure the girls put on Vail—it was the best game I have ever seen them play.”
Lambert added, “To advance in the state championship we will have to play an intense attacking style of play. The other teams are bigger and a bit older than us, but we are quicker than all the teams.”
The Crested Butte girls face Steamboat on Friday night, March 13 in the double elimination tournament. Colorado Select will face off against Gunnison in the other game.
Coach GJ Santelli added, “This will be the second year for some of our girls to play in the state championships and that should help with experience in the locker room. The girls are playing quite well right now and if they can put pressure on their opponents we could go a long way. The girls are not just satisfied with making the playoffs—they want to win a state championship.”