WARROAD, Minn. -- As the shutout streak kept extending itself, Shelby Amsley-Benzie wanted to hear less about it.
The Warroad High School junior admits to being superstitious.
"Coach would say, 'There's another one' after each game,'' Amsley-Benzie said. "But, it was like, I don't want to hear about it. I didn't want to jinx it.
"I knew (giving up a goal) was going to happen sooner or later. I was a little disappointed when it was over. I like to stop everything. That's my goal. But I know that's not going to happen.''
For nine straight games, Warroad did stop everything. The Warriors shut out nine straight opponents before seeing the run halted in a 4-1 win Friday against St. Cloud.
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No slouches
The nine-game shutout streak began on Jan. 2, when Amsley-Benzie turned back 25 shots in a 5-0 win against Minnetonka, which was the No. 2-ranked team in last week's Class AA state poll.
That was one of five teams that were ranked in the top 12 in last week's state polls that Warroad beat in the streak. The others were East Grand Forks Senior High (No. 8, Class A), Roseau (No. 9, AA), Bemidji (No. 12, AA) and Crookston (No. 4, A).
Amsley-Benzie was in the nets in eight of the games. Backup goalie Kallie McBride also had a shutout in the streak, beating Lake of the Woods-Rainy River 15-0.
Warroad coach David Marvin knew the Warriors would eventually give up another score.
"It was probably inevitable,'' he said. "We never went into the season thinking we could do something like that. Who would ever think of doing something like that?
"I don't know if it was that big of a disappointment to us when it ended. We have bigger goals -- to get back to state and do well there.''
Save sensation
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The defense starts in the net. Amsley-Benzie, who has committed to play at UND, is stellar. Amsley-Benzie has a 0.54 goals-against average and a .970 save percentage in helping the Warriors to a 21-1-1 record.
"Shelby deserves a lot of credit,'' Marvin said. "She's the best I've ever seen in girls hockey. She's unbelievable, a superstar back there. She's steady and she makes some unbelievable saves. It's because of her athleticism, her preparation and her focus.''
Warroad, the No. 1-ranked team in the Class A state poll last week, has a total of 14 shutouts and seven other games in which the Warriors have allowed only one goal. They've outscored opponents 163-13.
"The shutouts don't have that much to do with our winning,'' Amsley-Benzie said. "I know my teammates will always be able to score more goals than I give up.''
In front of Amsley-Benzie, sophomore Hannah Johnston leads the defensemen.
But any pressure on the defense is minimized by the Warriors' explosive offense.
Six players have 50 or more points. Karley Sylvester leads the way with 73 points (35 goals, 38 assists). She's followed by Layla Marvin (24-42), Brook Story (29-26), Lisa Marvin (19-35), Kayla Gardner (16-36) and Megan Brettingen (16-34).
Festive futures
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"We've got a very talented team,'' said David Marvin, whose team has only four seniors on its roster. "When you read WCHA boxscores 3-4 years from now, you'll be seeing a lot of these girls' names.
"I've got two lines that can match up with any team in the state. Our offense puts tons of pressure on teams. We control the puck in every game. The defensemen in front of Shelby don't give up many quality shots. They get the puck and get it up front.''
In one game in the run of shutouts, it was a lonely night in the nets, as Warroad didn't allow a shot on goal in its 13-0 win against Superior, Wis.
"It's a team effort,'' Sylvester said. "Shelby and the defense definitely had big efforts. And we control the puck pretty well on offense.''
Warroad wraps up its regular season Friday against West Fargo. The section tournament begins next week. Regardless of the streak being snapped, it's a momentum builder for the postseason.
"We were a little disappointed to see it end,'' Sylvester said. "But you have to keep playing the way we've been playing. It definitely brings our confidence up. But we can't get too cocky.''
DeVillers reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1128; (800) 477-6572, ext. 128; or send e-mail to gdevillers@gfherald.com .
