[No, not the high school band, c. 1936 . . .]

[But our girls’ hockey team.   For the 2nd year in a row, we had missed key players for a Thanksgiving weekend trip to the Cities and were still trying to overcome disappointing losses to two ranked teams down there.  And though we subsequently won against teams we should have beaten, on this night, Friday, December 6, it appeared with the continuing loss of the those players, and other “issues,” the team came out in a total funk against main conference rival, the first place Sartell/Sauk Rapids – Rice Storm’n Sabres.]

[We knew something was afoot at team introductions.  We were delighted to see Rachel (4) get some pub in her senior year, and she has played terrifically.  But this was not the usual “starting” line-up . . .]

[Then came Micaela (34) . . .]

[Then Hanah (11) . . .]

[Was this a usual line?  We couldn’t remember?]

[Isn’t this nice getting introductions?  🙂  ]

[And then . . . team captain Taylor (24) was introduced – on defense?  Taylor played D in her early years but has been a center for at least the last two?]

[Karina (31) was the one player in her usual spot.]

[Bailey (35) has been the regular goalie . . .]

[In the continuing injury absence of Amy.]

From the video at the start of the game, you will hear the confusion among the usually hockey-astute Super Fans.  😉

Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyFTUNsid0s

[Kaitlin (26) and McKenna (28) were getting early ice time.]

[Bailey’s keeping an eye on things . . .]

[Then signals a left turn.]

[Sam (37) and Mel (6) mix it up with the Storm’n Sabres early.]

[The Cards held their own for most of the 1st period, and only trailed 1 – 0.]

[Sam . . .]

[. . . rounds the corner.]

[Rachel appears to be trying the put on the brakes.  😉  ]

[Karina]

[All through the game . . .]

[We were hoping Taylor would remember she was on defense.  🙂  ]

[Mel says, “Oh no you don’t!”  May have cost her 2 minutes.  😉  ]

[Mel and Sam on offense.]

[I’m sure the coaches just looked on this game as a teaching experience . . .]

[Because in the 2nd period, the roof fell in?  No. 5 for the Storm’n Sabres was really speedy and went around and through us several times.]

[Half way through the period, the Storm’n Sabres were up 5 – 0 and seemed to be scoring at will.  The Cardinals called a time out.  You don’t usually use your one time out in the middle of the 2nd period, but it was a good call for a necessary team meeting.]

[We started playing better then.]

[But either their goalie is really good, or was just having a hot night, we just couldn’t get anything by her.]

[We were getting more scoring opportunities.]

[Here Mel solos in . . .]

[And she’s usually our best in these situations.]

[We’re in there . . .]

[And came oh so close.]

[Then the highlight of the evening, between the 2nd and 3rd periods.]

[Note the sponsor!  And we shut out all the shooters!  🙂  ]

[In the 3rd period, the outcome was no longer in doubt.]

[But to the Cards’ credit, we picked up our play . . .]

[And really had the better of it for the entire period.]

[We kept gaining on them . . .]

[And we were cheering for . . .]

[That we may come from way behind and actually catch them in shots-on-goal.]

[But not quite.  But they should gain some confidence from that final period.]

Up next:  Would you believe more hockey?