Blackballs defeat the Americans in IceWorks women's spring hockey league finals

On Tuesday night, June 15 at 8 p.m. on Rink 2, the IceWorks Women’s Spring Ice Hockey League’s Team Blackballs faced the Team Americans for the Final Championship game. The Blackballs won in a shutout, defeating the Americans, 2–0. The first period was scoreless by both teams. The first goal by the Blackballs was scored in the second period, unassisted by Becky Bartow. The second goal was scored late in the third period by Jess Otte, assisted by Patty Gray to an open to ensure the Blackballs’ win. Goalie Nicki Kuiper kept the team alive with a shutout.

Monday night, June 14 at 9:30 p.m. on Rink 2, the Blackballs defeated the Puck Buddies (Philadelphia Freeze) in the semi-final game by a score of 1–0, scoring the game winning goal in the last 20 seconds of the 3rd period to advance to the finals. The game winning goal was tapped in by Kim Buchinsky from an assist by Patty Gray who shot from the point.

The IceWorks Women’s Spring Ice Hockey League was comprised of 8 teams, formed from regular season club teams like the Concord Flames, Americans, Philadelphia Freeze and the Mighty Mouse. The Blackballs, sporting a black 8-ball on their silver jerseys were an independent team entry comprised of players from teams across the tri-state area, including the Concord Flames, Jersey Demons, Delaware Bobcats and Delaware United, under the leadership of Coach Sherri Long.

The Blackballs finished with a regular Spring League record of 1-5-2 but played with heart, determination and tenacity in the semi-final round of play-offs to reach the final Championship game against the Americans (4-4-0). The Blackball players will return to their regular season teams in the fall but not after celebrating the championship title as an independent team.

Photos captions
First photo:

From left to right are Maureen Sharon, Holly Kline, Megan Lampkinski, Patty Gray, Jess Otte , Lisa Lister, Karen Shull, Sherri Long (coach), Becky Bartow ,Kim Buchinsky, Margie Sullivan-Rogowski, Donna Dufoe, Loraine Beebe, Nicki Kuiper. NOT PICTURED: Randi Katz, Kelsi, Billy Thomas, Haley Roe.

Second photo:

: From left to right are Becky Bartow, Lisa Lister, Jess Otte, Maureen Sharon, Holly Kline, Sherri Long (coach), Patty Gray, Kim Buchinsky, Donna Dufoe, Loraine Beebe, Karen Shull, Margie Sullivan-Rogowski, Megan Lampkinski, Nicki Kuiper. NOT PICTURED: Randi Katz, Kelsi, Billy Thomas, Haley Roe.