The St Charles College Cardinals girls hockey team are beginning to find their scoring touch, netting 14 goals in registering three straight victories recently.
Still, a fortuitous bounce or two along the way isn't about to hurt those numbers at all.
Backstopped by a 17-save shutout performance from Keanna Navarro, the Cards blanked the Collège Notre-Dame Alouettes 4-0 - though the final score does not do justice to a strong outing from CND netminder Amélie Gervais (28 saves), as well.
If not for a puck deposited into their own net and another centering pass that somehow eluded a perfectly positioned Notre-Dame defender, this contest might have remained much closer much longer.
"I just kind of had my stick on the ice and the next thing you know, the puck ended up on my stick," explained 16 year-old grade 11 forward Avery Mininni, who opened this scoring in this matchup and then added a two-goal effort in a 6-2 win over the Horizon Aigles two days later.
"I just kind of score; it's hard to explain."
Joining Mininni on the scoresheet versus the Alouettes were Jenna Cole, Brooklyn Mininni and Ryann Chevrier as St Charles improved to 5-1-0, four points ahead of Horizon (3-2-0), with Lo-Ellen (2-3-1) and Notre-Dame (0-4-1) rounding out the SDSSAA Division I loop.
Coming off a season in which the Cardinals did not advance to the city final - a rarity in and of itself - the team is anxious to resume their rightful spot atop the throne.
"The individual skills that we have now are even stronger," said Mininni, a three-year veteran of the program. "We've got to work on making sure that the overall game of playing together is better."
With the addition of freshman sniper Alyssa Bryant and a few others, the Cards are now showing signs of finding their "A" game.
"Over time, you just learn to play better together," said Mininni. "The communication on the ice, talking on the bench, getting feedback - everything helps."
With Lady Wolves "A" and "AA" talent spread out all over the city, Mininni contends that the key to success continues to be the age-old axiom.
"You have to put in the effort," she stated. "It's going to be the team that is trying the hardest because everyone is so equal. Whoever is working harder is ending up with a better result."
Just four games remain in Division I play before the Christmas break, including only one this week as Horizon and St Charles do battle Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at the Carmichael Arena.
Rounding out the St Charles Cardinals roster are Carrington Parisé, Rayna Fletcher, Joely Angus, Kahlan Judd, Emma Plante, Maelle White, Brooklyn Harris, Karlie Shea, Chloe Martin and Kloe Rienguette.
