Announcement
On some occasions last season, the Port Huron Lady Icehawks didn't play their best hockey and it still was good enough to beat the Division 2 teams of the Michigan Metro Girls High School Hockey League.
This year, the Lady Icehawks are playing in the top division of the league against much tougher competition.
"I thought it was a good idea for us to move up to Division 1," said Caylee Gordon, the only senior on the team. "We needed more of a challenge. Division 2 was slow for us. We were too quick for that. This will help us improve."
Two games into the new season, Port Huron is 1-1. The Lady Icehawks opened the season Wednesday, losing 3-0 to Grosse Pointe South. They rebounded Friday and defeated Ann Arbor Pioneer, 3-2.
"I would see us right now in the middle of the pack in Division 1," Lady Icehawks Coach Ron Cook said. "We have enough girls with experience. The only way I feel I can get them better is by playing a better level of competition."
Last season, teams often were overmatched when they went against Port Huron.
The Lady Icehawks routinely blew teams out and didn't really face a challenge until the end of the season.
The Lady Icehawks finished the season 19-2.
They advanced to the Division 2 league championship where the fell short, losing 1-0 to Plymouth-Canton-Salem.
"I'm really excited to play in Division 1," Lady Icehawks sophomore goaltender Taylor Cook said. "We still go out expecting to play well. With Division 1 you know you will get a lot of work. We have to be ready to skate the whole game.
"I think we are very capable of beating the Division 1 teams. We just have to get in shape and skate to the puck. I'd like to go 19-1."
The Lady Icehawks lost their top scorer, Chelsea Minnie to graduation, but return an experienced unit. They also lost seniors Bri Glombowski and Madelyn Harris.
They return eight players and added five more after playing shorthanded for much of last season.
"When you lose 46 points (from Minnie), you know that's going to be a challenge to make up for that," coach Cook said. "It's no question about that. But we certainly feel we have some girls that can score. But playing Division 1 is going to be a much different game for them."
This season the league once again is stacked with good teams, but that does not scare the Lady Icehawks.
"I think we will do pretty good," Gordon said. "We have a really strong defense this year. If everyone plays their hardest and improves as a team, we will have a good season."
The Lady Icehawks will return Dec. 3 against Livonia Ladywood at Glacier Pointe Ice Complex.
On some occasions last season, the Port Huron Lady Icehawks didn't play their best hockey and it still was good enough to beat the Division 2 teams of the Michigan Metro Girls High School Hockey League.
This year, the Lady Icehawks are playing in the top division of the league against much tougher competition.
"I thought it was a good idea for us to move up to Division 1," said Caylee Gordon, the only senior on the team. "We needed more of a challenge. Division 2 was slow for us. We were too quick for that. This will help us improve."
Two games into the new season, Port Huron is 1-1. The Lady Icehawks opened the season Wednesday, losing 3-0 to Grosse Pointe South. They rebounded Friday and defeated Ann Arbor Pioneer, 3-2.
"I would see us right now in the middle of the pack in Division 1," Lady Icehawks Coach Ron Cook said. "We have enough girls with experience. The only way I feel I can get them better is by playing a better level of competition."
Last season, teams often were overmatched when they went against Port Huron.
The Lady Icehawks routinely blew teams out and didn't really face a challenge until the end of the season.
The Lady Icehawks finished the season 19-2.
They advanced to the Division 2 league championship where the fell short, losing 1-0 to Plymouth-Canton-Salem.
"I'm really excited to play in Division 1," Lady Icehawks sophomore goaltender Taylor Cook said. "We still go out expecting to play well. With Division 1 you know you will get a lot of work. We have to be ready to skate the whole game.
"I think we are very capable of beating the Division 1 teams. We just have to get in shape and skate to the puck. I'd like to go 19-1."
The Lady Icehawks lost their top scorer, Chelsea Minnie to graduation, but return an experienced unit. They also lost seniors Bri Glombowski and Madelyn Harris.
They return eight players and added five more after playing shorthanded for much of last season.
"When you lose 46 points (from Minnie), you know that's going to be a challenge to make up for that," coach Cook said. "It's no question about that. But we certainly feel we have some girls that can score. But playing Division 1 is going to be a much different game for them."
This season the league once again is stacked with good teams, but that does not scare the Lady Icehawks.
"I think we will do pretty good," Gordon said. "We have a really strong defense this year. If everyone plays their hardest and improves as a team, we will have a good season."
The Lady Icehawks will return Dec. 3 against Livonia Ladywood at Glacier Pointe Ice Complex.
