Inferno: CWHL All-Star Recap

Before the NHL All-Stars took to the ice before this weekend’s festivities in San Jose, the Canadian Women’s Hockey League’s star assembled in Toronto last weekend to do some skill showcasing of their own.

The game was hosted in Toronto at Scotiabank Arena last Saturday and featured players from across the seven teams of the CWHL. The Inferno sent nine players to the All-Star Game, which was the most of any team in the league.

Calgary’s Brigette Lacquette was named a team captain earlier this year (Team Purple), alongside Liz Knox of the defending Clarkson Cup Champions Markham Thunder (Team Gold). Of the Inferno players participating, Zoe Hickel, Alex Rigsby, Halli Kryzaniak and Blayre Turnbull were selected to Lacquette’s Team Purple. On the side of Liz Knox’s gold squad were Inferno skaters Rebecca Johnston, Kacey Bellamy, Brianna Decker, and Brianne Jenner.

The Inferno participants were quick to lead the charge when the puck dropped, and specifically Brianna Decker who scored the first two goals of the game. Right behind her was Brianne Jenner with her own pair of goals, making it 4-0 for Team Gold. That was followed by Team Purple’s first goal, scored by Blayre Turnbull. So amazingly, the first five goals of the All-Star Game were all notched by Calgary Inferno players!

To finish things off for her impressive showing, Decker picked up her hat trick goal in the third period!

Zoe Hickel added to her team’s day with a third period goal of her own for the Team Purple side, while Inferno Captain Rebecca Johnston buried the final goal of the contest!

Of the twelve goals scored in the contest, an impressive seven of them came from Calgary players! I guess the book was out on goalie Alex Rigsby since her team mates had all the answers for the Team Purple goalie, as she wound up on the wrong end of the 8-4 final score.

Brianna Decker earned First Star for her hat trick performance, and her game worn sweater and hat trick puck wound up finding a home in some exclusive company:

It was a great showcase for Women’s Hockey, as the game continues to grow. The CWHL will now return to regular season action, so keep an eye on Matchsticks & Gasoline for more Calgary Inferno updates!