Furies Postgame: Clarkson Cup Semi-Final Weekend Wrap-Up

The two semi-final matchups in the Clarkson Cup Championships took place this weekend. Les Canadiennes de Montreal laced up against the Brampton Thunder, and reigning champions the Calgary Inferno took on the Toronto Furies. Les Canadiennes swept Brampton in their three game series. Toronto managed to drag it out to a third game, but ultimately fell.

The first game in the weekend matchup was all Furies, all the time. Christina Kessler started in goal for the Furies, Genevieve Lacasse started in goal for the Inferno. Despite the first goal going the Inferno’s way with a blast from Haley Irwin, the Furies held court from there on in. 

Erin Ambrose scored her first CWHL goal, giving Toronto the lead for the first time in the game. Jenelle Kohanchuk doubled her season’s goal tally in a single game – 3 goals in the regular season, and a hattrick in this game. A goal from Kelly Terry took the Furies’ total to five for the evening. 

Furies win: 5-2

The second game in the weekend matchup was close for the first two periods, but like their male counterparts in the Leafs, the Furies showed that Toronto hockey teams just cannot seem to hold a third period. Christina Kessler started in goal for the Furies, Genevieve Lacasse started in goal for the Inferno.

An early goal from Natalie Spooner gave the Furies their lone score of the evening. Spooner gave the fans and the rest of her team a scare midway through the second period when she went down awkwardly and was slow to leave the ice. Spooner headed to the dressing room for medical attention, and returned to the bench after about 10 minutes. 

Amidst a string of penalties for both teams, three Inferno goals were scored by Irwin, Turnbull, and Gavrilova for the Inferno win.

Inferno win: 3-1

The third and final game was hard on both teams. It started off frantic and stayed that way. Both teams played hard, penalties flying back and forth. Christina Kessler started in goal for the Furies, Genevieve Lacasse started in goal for the Inferno. 

A goal from Jenelle Kohanchuk put the Furies on the board, but unfortunately, that would be the only score the Furies registered today. 

Inferno win: 3-1

Christina Kessler is unarguably the Blue Warrior of the weekend. She stood on her head for the Furies, forced the reigning Clarkson Cup Champions to three games, and made them work for every goal. She registered a .947SV% in the series, facing 150 shots across the three games. Kessler has also been outstanding for the Furies in the regular season, often keeping the Furies in games they would otherwise have lost.

The Clarkson Cup Final will take place on Sunday, March 5 in the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. The Calgary Inferno will face off against les Canadiennes de Montreal. Puck drops at 4pm EST.