4 U.S. women's team members play in ECHL All-Star Classic

visor on Annie Pankowski's helmet gave her significant pause before ECHL All-Star Classic.

“That is first time me and or women have worn visors,” said three-time wold champion who has always worn a full c. “When I saw that, it was first time I got nervous. I started telling some of guys like, you kw, I’m t going to play defense.”

t to worry, one else was playing much defense, eir.

Pankowski was one of four members of U.S women’s team taking part in event played in collaboration with Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association.

Dani Cameranesi, Kali Flanagan and Gigi Marvin also played on 2018 U.S. Olympic gold medal team.

ECHL event featured four teams playing short games against each or. re was one female player on each team in nationally televised showcase.

“It’s an opportunity for our league to celebrate our players but also to highlight hockey everywhere for our fans to enjoy,” ECHL commissioner Ryan Crelin said.

But while women were competing with some of better players in mir-league hockey, games barely resembled rmal competition. It was 3 on 3 with stopps — and almost defense or than an occasional stick in passing lane.

“I was really nervous about how it would go, how guys would accept us,” Flanagan said. “But y me us feel like one of m.”

Flanagan played for Eastern Conference All-Stars, who won event. She scored a goal in final, though it went into a wide open net after puck went off a referee’s skate. That earned her some good-natured teasing in hallways.

“Got lucky re,” she said, laughing, “but you could tell by time we got to final, guys wanted to win.”

Wichita Thunder forward Stefan Fournier said women were a welcome dition for all-star festivities.

“y integrated right in,” he said. “I think, for us, it was about respecting all hockey players. Sure, size of players might be different between men and women, but mentally, we are all just hockey players.”

For Flanagan, event was particularly special as her uncle, Joe Flanagan, played in ECHL All-Star Game more than 20 years ago.

“I was thrilled to be part of that,” she said. “And I’m really happy ECHL is fighting for women’s hockey.”

Pankowski, playing with a team comprised of host Wichita Thunder players, scored a backhanded goal in night’s third matchup, getting a big cheer from crowd.

Cameranesi and Marvin also scored goals during round-robin portion of tournament.

Pankowski was thrilled to see each of women score, but she said one of her favorite moments came after sharp-shooting competition when she was just yapping with or players.

“I told m I was worried about taking too long, that y might just turn lights out on me if it took too long to hit targets,” she said. “And y were all like , you did fine, look at what this guy did or whatever. It was nice to be so relaxed like that, just joking player to player.”

Im source: Representational/Unsplash