The Gold Medal Game

I was working through some of the audio today after a request was made for some of it, and it dawned on me that there likely could have been a number of hockey fans who missed out on the 2023 Female World Sport School Challenge gold medal game between the Calgary Fire and the South Alberta Hockey Academy. Being that I do enjoy a good hockey game, I thought it might be wise to clean up the audio of that game as UMFM had recorded it in its entirety and post it for those who want to hear it. I don't own the rights to the video as HockeyTV carried the game, but I would have synchronized the audio and video had that been available to me. Be it as it may, the audio is below and you can listen to the game from start to finish including overtime right here on HBIC!

I will say that, outside a couple of technical issues, we have 11 of the 13 games from the Subway Arena available if you would like to hear them. Simply send me an email indicating which game you'd like, and I'll send you the audio file of the game. It should be noted that the Lloydminster Steelers-Winnipeg Avros game to start the tournament and the Northern Capitals-Calgary Fire game to start Saturday's slate of games off are the two that somehow missed segments of the game, so the technical issues can't be fixed on those. Unfortunately, those games will not be available.

The technical issues also crept into the Northern Capitals-Interlake Lightning game early on Saturday morning, but the first period was all that was missed. Considering that it was a 0-0 game through 20 minutes, there were no significant moments missed so the final two periods will be available if anyone wants those. Again, an email indicating what game you'd like to hear is all that is needed for an audio file of that game.

Let's dive into this gold medal game by stating that the Calgary Fire had only surrendered three goals up until this point, and all three came in the semifinal against the Northern Alberta X-Treme. They had two goalies who had combined for three shutouts in the round-robin portion of the tournament, and they boasted a tournament all-star in winger Tyra Edl who had lit lamps regularly in the four games leading up to the final. Calgary had speed, depth, and scoring to match any team, and it seemed like they should be the favourite in this game.

However, standing before them was South Alberta Hockey Academy who boasted a tournament all-star in defender Kendal Davidson. Davidson's play had helped SAHA win two shootouts in the round-robin before they knocked off the Thunder Bay Queens in a one-goal victory in the semifinal. While there was nothing that stands out about any of SAHA's wins on their path to the gold medal final, the fact that they had faced some adversity in the tournament could prove useful if the final was to remain a tight-checking affair.

I will say, in defence of the guy calling the game, this was game #13 in a four-day span, and you can hear his voice crack a few times as he's calling the game. I won't lie: Gord Miller is a hero for the number of games he does at the World Junior Championships over two weeks, but 13-in-4-days tested my vocal cords. If you're gonna rip on the play-by-play guy as you listen to the audio, I probably deserve it, but my voice was as hoarse as it's ever been. I do deserve a bit of a beating for stating that Jolie Nafziger plays for Mount Royal when she actually plays for the Calgary Dinos! Sorry about that, Jolie!

Ok, here's the audio of the gold medal game. Enjoy the action!

If you'd like to download this game, click here to initiate the download!

I have said it a number of times since the final goal was scored on Sunday, but what a great game! Credit goes to both SAHA and to the Calgary Fire who brought their "A"-games and then some, but the winners do get the spoils as we had a golden goal scored on Sunday just past noon CT. There's nothing quite like an overtime goal to decide a championship, so make sure you listen to the end if you're clicking the play button above!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!