MORRISVILLE, NY:  The Stangs Showdown, hosted by the NCAA Division III SUNY Morrisville women’s ice hockey program, took place from November 28 – 30.  The highly-scouted event attracted elite girls’ teams from both the United States and Canada including the Adirondack 46ers, Ontario Hockey Academy, the Amherst Lady Knights, BioSteel Sports Academy, the New Jersey Bandits, Norwich Hockey Club, and the HTI Stars.  The 19U girls from Purcell Hockey Academy (PHA) went 4-1 for the tournament, winning their pool and their semifinal before losing a close-contest final.

PHA kicked off the tournament with a 9-1 victory of Norwich HC’s 19U team.  Leading the way for PHA was 16U call-up, Malgorzata Zakrzewska, who tallied three goals and one assist.  Vera Stastkova also had a strong game, netting two goals with one assist.  Other PHA players contributing to the effort included , Aleandre Elibani (1 goal and 1 assist), Alejandre Radcliffe (1 goal), Johanna Meissner (1 goal), Flora Pasztor (1 goal), Aneta Paroubkova (2 assists), Breeanna Longley (2 assists), 16U call-up Freya Ekberg (1 assist), and Justine Kruhlak (1 assist).  Dani Egeland had a solid debut performance in net for PHA, only allowing one puck to find the net behind her.

Next up for PHA was a game vs. the New Jersey Bandits 19U with PHA emerging with the victory 7-1.  Vera Stastkova had another strong outing, this time scoring twice and adding a helper.  Flora Pasztor and Aleandre Elibani chipped in with a goal and an assist each while Ruby Dziuba Aneta Paroubkova, and Malgorzata Zakrzewska also scored.  Single assists were recorded by Alma Ameigeiras, Alejandre Radcliffe, and Johanna Meissner.  Kennah Brant made 18 saves for the win.

PHA’s third game of the tournament was against the HTI Stars U20 team from Ontario.  In a much closer game, PHA came out on top by a score of 3-0, clinching the top spot in their pool.  Flora Pasztor scored the game-winning goal on an unassisted shorthanded effort with Malgorzata Zakrzewska scoring two insurance markers.  Assists on her goals were credited to Vera Stastkova and Ruby Dziuba.  Jadeyn Leung made 14 saves for the shutout victory.

Ontario Hockey Academy’s Varsity U22 team was PHA’s opponent in the semifinal and Purcell’s 19U girls rose to the occasion, recording a 2-0 victory in a tight-checking affair.  For the second straight game, the game-winner was a shorthanded marker by Flora Pasztor.  Malgorzata Zakrzewska once again had an insurance goal, assisted by Aneta Paroubkova.  Jadeyn Leung had an exceptional game between the pipes to earn her second shutout in a row.

That win set up a highly-anticipated final as PHA’s 19U girls took to the ice on less than 90 minutes’ rest to play BioSteel Sports Academy’s U22 team.  The girls gave it everything they had but fell just short, losing 2-0 to the Ontario-based program that won the tournament for the second year in a row.  After the game, three PHA players were singled out for their individual performances, making the All-Tournament team.  Congratulations to Malgorzata Zakrzewska and Vera Stastkova (forwards) and Aneta Paroubkova (defense).

For tournament photos, find and follow Purcell Hockey Academy on Instagram or Facebook at @purcellhockey.