And it was such an enjoyable moment, she decided to add her second goal only a handful of minutes later.
Kohl, 15, is suiting up for the Prince Albert Northern Bears in the Sask Female AAA Hockey League this season. The Bears were in action in North Battleford against the Battlefords Sharks on Sunday afternoon when the rookie forward hit the twine twice in the second period.
Even though the two markers came just over seven minutes apart, her mindset for the goals changed dramatically even in that short span of time.
“The first goal was kind of a shock at first, because this whole team is new to me, but the second one came I felt like I just started playing more like myself,” Kohl said from Prince Albert. ““I feel like I’ve been developing a lot, and these past couple games have been more of a good feeling.”
Kohl scored her first goal from in close, going to the net and knocking home a rebound off a shot from linemate Sophia Zuck with 9:12 remaining in the second period. Goal number two came off a feed from the wing into the slot from Zuck, and Kohl got a quick shot off to beat the Battlefords goaltender.
It was all part of a three-goal period for the Bears, who would go on to a 9-5 win.
Of course, that will be the last game for Kohl and her new team for the next three weeks, as the Saskatchewan government has shut down hockey and all sports in the province until Dec. 17. Still, the experience of playing AAA -- and in a league with players a few years older than her -- has been a positive one.
“At first it was a bit of a change, but you move on and get used to it,” Kohl said. “My billet family is great and all the girls are nice, it’s pretty good here.”
Kohl played last season with the South East Gold Wings in the Sask Female U15 AA Hockey League, and would lead the team in scoring with seven goals and 12 points in 23 games.
The difference in the two leagues is a common one, similar to what you’d hear from a Western Hockey League Moose Jaw Warrior making the jump to pro.
“I think the biggest difference is the pace of the game, not so much the skill,” Kohl said. “Just the overall pace is that much faster, you have to make your decisions quicker.”
Once things get going again, Kohl hopes to continue her rapid growth in the league, and ideally keep racking up wins with the storied Bears franchise.
“Our team is pretty good, we have a lot of good players, great teammates, we work well together, too. It’s nice,” she said. “I just want to become a more confident player and develop all my skills. But mainly just to become more confident in myself and my playing ability and become a great teammate.”
Kohl isn’t the only Moose Jaw product seeing action in the league.
University of Saskatchewan Huskies commit Larissa Bohlken is in her fourth season as a defenceman with the Regina Rebels and has two assists in four games so far.
She’s joined on the Rebels blueline by one of the youngest players in the league in 14-year-old Brooklyn Nimegeers. Nimegeers has an assist through her first four contests.
Ellie Gauvin is in her third season in the SFAAAHL, her second with the Notre Dame Hounds. A defenceman, Gauvin has a goal and two points to open the campaign.
