Lady Flames help East team edge West in first WMCH All-Star Game near St. Louis

Sunday, January 28

St. Louis, MO

1:00 PM

Liberty University Club Sports

WMCH All Star Game

Junior defenseman Madison Glynn assisted both of the East team's goals in the 2-1 All-Star Game victory over the West squad.

Lady Flames help East team edge West in first WMCH All-Star Game near St. Louis

1/28/2024 10:06:00 PM | Women's D1 Hockey

Defensemen Maddy Glover and Aislyn Stretch contributed assists and junior forwards Zosia Adamek, Haley Battles, and Brielle Fussy got plenty of playing time and represented Liberty well in the inaugural event.

Five Liberty University ACHA Division I women's hockey players contributed to the East team's 2-1 triumph over the West squad in Sunday's inaugural WMCH All-Star Game hosted by the Maryville University Ice Hockey Center.

"It was fun to be a part of the first All-Star conference game ever," said Lady Flames junior defenseman Madison Glynn, who was paired up with graduate teammate Aislyn Stretch for the first period and a McKendree player for the second and third. "It was a good game, with a lot of back-and-forth play. It was a faster-paced game with a lot of communication, which helped. We were all just talking and able to make plays together."

The East All-Stars outshot the West by a 20-11 margin and capitalized on one of its two power-play opportunities, with Stretch and Glynn assisting on the deflection that resulted in the game's first goal.

"It was a nice offensive possession that led to a (defender to defender) pass from Stretch to Glynn, who put a low, hard shot from the high slot on net that was tipped in on a nice touch by Lindenwood's Arden Hryshenko," said Liberty Head Coach Chris Lowes, who served as one of the four coaches for the East All-Stars.

Glynn also assisted the game-winning goal in the second period, breaking a 1-1 tie.

"Maddy went back to retrieve the puck and made a beautiful stretch pass to Loki Antonio from Lindenwood, who scored on a tremendous breakaway deke," Lowes said.

"She made a super nice move," Glynn added.

Lady Flames junior forwards Zosia Adamek, Haley Battles, and Brielle Fussy also played for the East All-Stars, but didn't factor in the scoring.

"They had a lot of good movement in the offensive zone and a lot of good backchecks as well," Glynn said. "This was a super fun experience for all of us, even those who didn't play were really supportive of everyone who did. We got to make new friends and it was a beneficial experience for everybody."

"The All-Star Game was a great way to end a pretty successful road trip for our team, and a great way to showcase the talent in our league," Lowes added. "It was a very good experience and showcase, and it was fun watching the girls interact and get to know opponents. I am proud of the way our girls represented our team and Liberty University, on and off the ice."

Liberty senior goalie Amanda Storey was unable to participate in the contest after sustaining an injury in a 6-5 overtime setback in the second game against Hockey Training Institute (HTI) in at the LaHaye Ice Center (LIC) on Jan. 19.

The next time the Lady Flames will see these opposing players, they will be competing against them at the LIC, with Liberty hosting the WMCH Championships for the first time from Feb. 22-24 before returning to St. Louis for the March 13-17 ACHA DI National Championships at Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Mo., Lindenwood's home ice. There, the Lady Flames will try to extend their streak of national titles to six and capture their seventh since 2015.

By Ted Allen/Staff Writer