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Lady Wolves drop Sask champ in Esso Cup opener

Just a touch more scoring depth can go a long, long way in the world of girls hockey.
Just a touch more scoring depth can go a long, long way in the world of girls hockey.

That additional offense would come in handy for the Sudbury Midget AA Lady Wolves on April 19, as the team opened the 2015 Esso Cup with a 3-2 win over the Saskatoon Stars.

In the three losses they incurred while walking away with bronze medals in 2014, the Lady Wolves could muster only two goals in total. The experience of 12 months ago seemed to come in handy, with a trio of returnees pulling the trigger for the locals.

Recognized as the top forward at the tournament last year, Karli Shell scored the only goal of the opening frame, with Sophie Shirley (Saskatoon) and Taylor McGaughey (Sudbury) trading second-period tallies.

Mélisa Kingsley made it a two-goal lead for the Ontario representatives, beating Stars' netminder Emma Johnson on the power-play, as Shell and Sydney Walker picked up the assists.

Shirley made things very interesting through the dying minutes, drilling her second goal of the game at 16:31, but that was as close as the Saskatchewan champions would get.

North Bay native Danika Ranger recorded the win in net for the Lady Wolves, turning aside 24 of the 26 shots she faced. Sudbury returns to action today at 5:30 p.m. local time, facing the Moncton Rockets.

Getting together for one final practice last week before leaving for Red Deer, Alta., host city for the 2015 Esso Cup, the Lady Wolves contemplated their back-to-back provincial championships.

"Winning the provincials is difficult, especially winning it two years in a row," said sophomore forward Meagan McGaughey. "The fact that we had to beat out 106 teams, it’s such a great experience."

Last April, Tayler Murphy was one of two affiliated players who joined the Midget AA girls at the national championships, joined by defenceman Kailey Lapensee.

"Last year was all about the experience, so I hope that this year will be more relaxed," said Murphy. "We have to keep our feet moving. Sometimes we tend to slow down in the third period."

Through one game at least, so far, so good.

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