After a pretty close game yesterday between the Markham Thunder and Calgary Inferno, the Thunder went into the second half of their weekend series hoping for a split. Unfortunately, it was not to be. The Thunder got walloped, starting goalie  Liz Knox letting in seven goals after getting shelled with 37 shots, while the Inferno’s Lindsey Post allowed two (albeit with a significantly lighter workload of 21 shots). Post also picked up her second CWHL win in back-to-back starts.

After eighteen-year-old CWHL rookie Sophie Shirley was called for holding early in the period, Markham opened the scoring with a powerplay goal from Kristen Richards. It was an optimistic note to start the game, but their lead didn’t last long. Shortly thereafter, Calgary tied it up with a goal from Rhianna Kurio. She scored their first goal last night as well, bringing her total on the year to four. Katelyn Gosling scored a 4-on-4 goal with two minutes left in the period to take the lead for Calgary.

About five minutes into the second period, Megan Grenon of the Inferno took a hooking penalty, and the Thunder made them pay with a goal by Kristen Barbara. It was a good afternoon for Markham’s Kristens, if not for the Thunder as a whole. Defender Jacquie Pierri put the Inferno back in front as the second period came to a close. Pierri’s been in the CWHL since 2013 and played 101 games, but surprisingly, this was her first CWHL goal.

It was the third period where things started to fall apart for the Thunder. The Inferno took a two-goal lead thanks to Louise Warren, shortly followed up by more insurance courtesy of Erica Kromm. Kelly Murray piled on a powerplay goal for Calgary later that period, her first in the CWHL. To add insult to injury, Kayla Gardner scored shorthanded with about fifteen seconds left on the clock, making the final score 7-2 Inferno. The Thunder leave Calgary with no points, and Calgary maintains its grip on the top of the CWHL standings.

At least the timbits at intermission were adorable.

Three Stars:

3rd: Kristen Barbara (1g)

2nd: Rhianna Kurio (1g)

1st: Jacquie Pierri (1g, her first in the CWHL!)

The Markham Thunder are next in action the weekend of November 18, when they (and the Toronto Furies) travel to China for games against the Vanke Rays and Kunlun Red Star. If you’re interested in watching, either as the games air or later at a more reasonable hour, the CWHL is streaming the games for free.

We will be attempting to recap these games as they air, so please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we struggle with the concept of time zones.

Women's HockeyCanadian Women's Hockey League (CWHL)