Lady Icers pick up win in inaugural game

Center Ellen Zajko scored an exciting breakaway goal late in the third period to give the Lady Icers a victory over the Harrisburg Rocketts in the first game of their inaugural season.

Zajko scored two of her four goals in the third period and finished with five points, including an assist.

The Lady Icers struck first when Zajko scored early in the opening period. Wing Rachel Reiker scored 41 seconds later to give Penn State a 2-0 lead. A game of catch-up ensued as the Rocketts tied the game at 2-2, 3-3 and 4-4 until Zajko's game-winning goal with 2:21 left in the game.

The Lady Icer coaches unanimously decided to elect Zajko the MVP of the game and presented her with the game puck.

Everyone from both teams was impressed by Zajko's play.

"She's a fantastic all-around player," said Rocketts coach Mark West.

"Ellen played really well," Reiker said. "We work really well together."

Lady Icer coach Vinnie Scalamogna was quick to point out that, despite Zajko's stellar play, the victory was a result of solid teamwork.

"They were all standouts," he said.

Penn State goalkeepers Kathy Beckford and Missy Werner were an integral part of that winning teamwork.

Beckford, the starter, had nine saves and Werner, who was in goal for part of the second period and the entire third, had 11. Beckford was replaced to give her some rest and also to get Werner some playing time. The two split time in practice but Beckford, who also started the Blue-White game on Dec. 7, seems to have a secure grip on the starting position.

Harrisburg outshot the Lady Icers 25 to 19. West was disappointed in his team's loss but was happy with the closesness of the game. He also was pleased with the manner in which the Rocketts were treated by the Lady Icers.

"Penn State was a great host," West said. "Everybody was really friendly, and we really appreciated that. We look forward to coming back again."

The Rocketts are in a situation comparable to the Lady Icers. They are a newly formed traveling club team that was created less than a year ago. The team consists of women from ages 21 to 45.

The Rocketts are an offshoot of the Rockets, Harrisburg's male club team. Many of the players do not have any previous ice hockey experience.

In fact, some of the women became interested in the game because they are the mothers of players on the Rockets.

The Lady Icers will travel to Harrisburg for a rematch with the Rocketts on Feb. 16.

The Lady Icers hope to ride the momentum of Saturday's win into Feb. 15, when they face Chatham College.

"I'm very psyched for the next game," an emotional Zajko said after the game. "It was a really exciting win. It was a good game to watch, very evenly matched.

"That's how hockey's played."