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Calgary Inferno Split Games in Japan

The Japanese Women’s National Team is preparing to qualify for the Olympics

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The Calgary Inferno were in the hockey city of Tomakomai, Japan over the weekend to play two games against the Japanese Women’s National Team who are beginning preparation to qualify for the upcoming Olympics.

The teams began the exhibition Saturday by exchanging gifts and signing jerseys, and then it was on to the hockey. Japan got on the board first on the power play late in the opening period and the 1st period would end 1-0 for Japan. Japan added another goal at the 14:38 mark of the 2nd period to go up 2-0. The Inferno finally got on the board 3:34 into the 3rd period with Louise Warren taking a pass from Bailey Bram and scoring from her knees. With the score 2-1 for the host team, Japan scored at the 14 minute mark of the 3rd to restore the two-goal lead, which is how the game would end.

The Inferno came out harder and faster on Sunday and Iya Gavrilova opened the scoring on a 5-on-3 power-play, assisted by Meaghan Mikkelson and Jill Saulnier. Gavrilova struck again 15:13 into the 1st period to give the Inferno a 2-0 lead. The assist went to Brianne Jenner. Sarah Davis scored 6:57 into the 2nd period, assisted by Jessica Campbell to give the Inferno a commanding 3-0 lead heading into the 3rd period. Japan scored just 2:15 into the 3rd period to cut the Inferno lead, but Sarah Davis redirected a wrist-shot from Blayre Turnbull past the Japan netminder to restore the two-goal lead and make the final 4-1 for the Calgary Inferno.

The Inferno now have 17 wins and 3 losses after 20 games this season and are in 1st place in the CWHL with 34 points.

Brianne Jenner is leading the team scoring with 7 goals and 15 assists for 22 points in 16 games (5th in CWHL). Bailey Bram is 2nd in team scoring with 10 goals and 8 assists for 18 points in 18 games (7th in CWHL).

Goaltender Genevieve Lacasse leads the team with 7 wins (2nd in the CWHL). Emerance Maschmeyer leads the team with a 1.70 goals against average (2nd in the CWHL) and leads the team and CWHL with a save percentage of 0.939.

The Inferno now host the Boston Blades for a pair of games next weekend at the WinSport Arena in Calgary. Game times are Saturday, February 4th @ 10:00pm EST/8:00pm MST and Sunday, February 5th @ 10:30am EST/8:30am MST.

Check out the Calgary Inferno website for more news, scores, schedule and stats.

by BizzleJ