On Wednesday night June 3, the Frisch Cougars traveled to SAR to take on the East top seeded Sting in the semifinals. This was the second time this year that Frisch visited the “rink;” back in March, Frisch squeezed out a thrilling 1-0 overtime victory. With a berth in the championship on the line, Frisch was determined not to let this one come down to one play.
Just 2:26 into the game, senior defenseman Rachel Markowitz sent a backhand pass from the left point to co-captain Michal Michael in front, who then redirected the ball to the far open side of the net for a 1-0 lead. Frisch would not back down and soon brought the score to 2-0. Off a failed clearing attempt by SAR, sophomore defenseman Aliza Pavel stopped the ball before center court and fired it top shelf on a screened Allison Adler in net. SAR immediately called a timeout in an effort to settle and refocus their team. Unfortunately for SAR, the timeout bore no fruit; Frisch scored again. On another failed clearing attempt by SAR, senior defenseman and assistant captain Ariella Katz stopped the ball before it crossed half court and threw the puck in net. A. Adler made the initial save but the ball popped up and fluttered in over the sprawling goalie. On the far end of the court, Frisch’s Jessica Adler thwarted SAR attacks with stellar goaltending. With 4:32 remaining in the first period, Frisch struck again. Markowitz sent the ball behind the SAR net, co-captain Kayla Blumenfeld picked it up off the boards and reversed course behind the net. Blumenfeld quickly swung around the net and put in the wrap around goal for a 4-0 Frisch lead. SAR quickly responded just 20 seconds later. Junior Eva Spier hustled to a loose ball at the top of the “arc” and one-timed a shot, beating J. Adler on the glove side. SAR continued to bring pressure, getting several great scoring chances as the period wound down, but J. Adler held her ground.
In the second period, SAR picked up where they left off. Sydney Grant split the defenders at half court, and took the ball on her back hand to the net. At 7:55 of the period, Frisch junior defenseman Talia Levie got called for tripping behind the Frisch goal. Frisch did a great job killing off the penalty, only allowing one shot on net while shorthanded. J. Adler continued her solid play and took the Frisch’s two-goal lead into the break.
With only 12 minutes left to decide who would play the championship, both teams knew they had to work that much harder to capture the win. The third period was well played by both teams but neither one could capitalize on their scoring chances. With just over three minutes to go, SAR took a penalty when Rebecca Rothchild tripped Pavel behind the Frisch goal. In the ensuing faceoff after a Frisch timeout, Blumenfeld won the ball and put a shot on net, she then got to her own rebound for a second shot, of which SAR’s A. Adler made the save again. Abigail Rochlin battling in front and Michael from the weak side, got to the loose ball and knocked it home—the power play goal with 3:02 remaining. Frisch was able to take a deep breath. SAR pulled their goalie in the hopes of scoring with an extra attacker, but J. Adler stood tall and closed out the game for the 5-2 victory.
Although it was not realized until the following day, a huge milestone and record was eclipsed during the game. Michal Michael scored her 51st and 52nd career goals, surpassing the previous league record of 50 goals held by Ma’ayanot alum Aliza Hiller. Line-mate and key contributor to most of those goals, Kayla Blumenfeld, picked up her 46th career goal during the game as well.
Frisch now heads back to the championship for the rubber match facing Ma’ayanot. The teams will face each other for the third year in a row at TABC on Sunday June 14 at 2:30 p.m.
By Yaakov Lisker
