‘Ewe’ goalie keeps blocking

RANGELY — Two-time champion and 2007 MVP goalie Kandice Torno is in her fourth season on the ice and third with the women’s Puck Ewes of Craig.
“I enjoy playing co-ed and men’s hockey because it’s faster but the schedules are inconsistent to non-existent,” Torno stated. “I play for anyone I can sub for in tournaments or for games wherever as long as it doesn’t interfere with my women’s schedule. The Puck Ewes are my number one priority.”
The Craig Puck Ewes compete in the mountain division of the Women’s Association of Colorado Hockey or simply WACH, comprised of A, B1, B2 and Mountain division teams from throughout the state. Craig won its first championship 3-2 against a dominant Steamboat Storm team in 2006, then defended the title against Vail last year when they won 1-0.
Torno is about midway through the league schedule with the Ewes and boasts an overall goals against average of 1.12 and a save percentage of 93.81 percent.
“My goal is to be over 90 percent.”
She’s done that by only allowing 13 goals on 210 shots in 12 games and has five shutouts so far. The toughest a 1-0 win against the Storm when she turned away 28 shots.
“I keep all game pucks that are shutouts. One of the girls on my team collects them for me after the buzzer sounds,” Torno said. “They are like little trophies to me in my obsession with goal tending perfection.”
In December, the Ewes traveled to Park City and took 5th place in the Goal Digger Tournament. So far this season they are 7-4-1 overall and 6-2-1 in the WACH, first in the Mountain Division.
Torno not only plays in all the games but also travels to Craig once a week to practice. “I drive a lot to play the game I love.”
This weekend the Ewes host its annual Mardi Gras Tournament in Craig with games starting at 6:15 p.m. on Friday night. Torno will suit up for both the Craig Puck Ewes and Durango Betties.
You can keep track of Torno and the Puck Ewes at www.craigpuckewes.com.