CRAIG-

The Puck Ewes faced the Steamboat Storm in a mountain division matchup on Friday night. Craig played a steady game and after one period of play the scoreboard was tied at 0 with 6 shots a piece.

The second period, Craig stepped it up a notch, but was unable to find the back of the Steamboat net. They kept a slow and steady stream of shots and finished the period with 17-16 shots.

Late in the third period, the Ewes had a bit of a defensive breakdown at the blueline and allowed two Storm players into their zone, unattended. Goalie Kandice Torno made the initial save, but couldn't control the rebound that went right to the waiting stick of the trailing Steamboat player who put it into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.

Craig attemped to tie it up, but couldn't. The game ended 1-0 for the Storm with the shot count 27-25 in favor of Steamboat.

GLENWOOD SPRINGS-

The Ewes hit the road for an early morning game against the Ice Queens on Saturday. In the chilly morning breeze, the game plan was to keep the shifts short so everyone could have a chance to stay warm on the ice.

Both teams played to an even first period. Craig goaltender Kandice Torno made some nice saves in the period, despite a slash to the back of the neck on one flury in front of the net. Craig also received the gift of an early whistle from the refs early on in the period to keep the score at zero.

Jamie Eckroth, decided to take the risk of losing her front teeth during this game. She removed her face mask due to glass frost. With vision restored, she opened up the scoring in the second period on an unassisted goal with 8:39 left to play. Suddenly, the Ice Queens picked it up a notch and tried to tie it up, but Torno said no way. The Ewes led 1-0 after two periods of play.

Eckroth rammed another puck into the back of the net, assisted by none other than Alexa "Skeeter" Criswell, with 14:28 to go in the third period. For a moment, it appeared as if the Ice Queens just had the life sucked out of them. They managed a breakaway against Torno, and scored, but the refs waved it off, saying the puck was frozen. Fortunately for the Ewes, there was little argument from the Ice Queens, and the teams took to the faceoff circle.

Glenwood came to life when they found an opening along the blockerside post. The momentum shifted in favor the Ice Queens as they battled in the Ewes' zone. Toward the end of the game, Craig defender Gayle Criswell suddenly became a soccer player when she had her stick knocked out of her hand. She skated up the ice, kicking the puck out of danger.

The final buzzer sounded during a flury of activity in the Ewes' zone, but Craig prevailed 2-1, picking up 2 points and another win on the season. The shots on goal were 21-18 in favor of Glenwood Springs. No penalties taken in the game by either team.

The Ewes have a home game against the Steamboat Storm on Friday night at 6:00pm at the Moffat County Ice Arena. Come cheer on your Puck Ewes!