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Steamboat Springs — Chix with Stix is off to a solid start with penalty kills and offensive pressure

The Chix with Stix started the 2006-07 season with a win and a loss on the road. Only seven returning players were in the lineup for the road trip.

The team managed to pick up two subs for Friday night's game against DU including former Denver-based substitute player Melanie Nimtz and one of the original Chix with Stix players, Kathy Fader.

Nimtz proved to be a valuable addition to the lineup; she was the points leader for the weekend, netting two goals Friday and adding two assists Saturday.

On Friday, the Chix faced off against the DU Pioneers at Joy Burns Arena. Chix goalie Nikki Knoebel came off strong with 29 saves. Nimtz put the Chix on the board in the second period and again in the third with an assist from Lynne Bosley.

Although the Chix outshot the Pioneers, 34-32, and killed all three of their penalties, it was not enough to beat the defending B1 division champions.

On Saturday, the Chix added another substitute player, Kim Bell, to the roster, bringing the team up to 10 skaters. The Chix managed to outskate Westminster-based Left Hand Brewsers to victory.

Although the Brewsers jumped to an early lead, scoring just 54 seconds into the game, the Chix handled their opponents for the rest of the period, killing three penalties. Coach Tim Shoreland thinks his team is the best in the state when it comes to penalty kills.

"Our three on five penalty kill was worthy of national news," Shoreland said.

Knoebel turned away 10 shots in the first period and shut out the Brewsers during second period with another 10 saves.

Center Sue Heineke put the Chix on the board early in the second period with a one-timer off a feed from Nimtz. Two minutes later, the Chix took the lead with a wrap-around shot by winger Riley Polumbus. Nimtz had the assist.

In the third period, the Chix solidified their lead when Cathy Wiedemer foiled Brewser goalie Crissa Doeppke off a pass from Polumbus.

The Chix continued to handle penalty kills, shutting down the Brewser offense on one penalty in the second period and one in the third. The Brewers finally took advantage during their sixth power play, scoring with 54 seconds left in the game.

Once again, the Chix outshot their opponents, this time 44-30.

This weekend marks the Chix's home opener, in which they will face the University of Wyoming in a doubleheader: 8:45 p.m. Saturday and 7:15 a.m. Sunday.