by Eric Welsh
Black Press
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Jaydin Spooner got the shutout in the first female hockey game Friday, backstopping her Vancouver Island squad to a 3-0 win over Cariboo-Central Coast.
The victors took a 2-0 first period lead on goals by Jessica Coulombe and Olivia Knowles, both defenceman.
Both were shots through traffic and Knowles got hers on a power play.
"Again we had a really good screen in front, with our forwards doing a good job of crashing the net," the Vancouver Island captain said. "Shay-Lee McConnell gave a nice pass to me at the top of the zone and I one-timed it into the net."
Knowles' team ran into penalty trouble in the middle frame, handing Cariboo-Central Coast three power plays.
But Spooner and the penalty kill came up large.
McConnell iced the game with a third period empty netter.
"I'm super proud of how we played today, especially considering we've only had two practices together, and one of them was just 45 minutes long," Knowles said. "Everyone came to work, and I genuinely believe we can make it to the finals."
Her team plays again at 5 p.m. on Friday, taking on Fraser Valley.