Back-to-back national champion
For Breshae Limb, hockey is more than just a game, it’s a way of life.
A junior majoring in exercise science at USU, Limb has played hockey since the age of 13 and is driven by more than a love for the game.
Four and a half years ago, Limb lost her father, Jeff, to a heart attack while their family was playing a pick-up game of hockey.
“He was my coach when I was younger, and he always supported me, up until he died,” Limb said. “Basically, if I ever feel discouraged or something, I always push myself and do it for him. As far as nationals go, when I push myself, I tell myself to do it for him and think that he’s rooting for me, so I can do it.”
Since then, Limb’s hockey career has taken off, and she has spent the past two years as starting goaltender for the Utah Thunder, helping them to back-to-back USA Hockey national titles in 2011 and 2012.
Limb said a number of factors contributed to her decision to start playing hockey.
When her family lived in California during Limb’s youth, her parents frequently attended games played by the Los Angeles Kings, a professional hockey team. When the family returned to Cache Valley, Limb’s brother, Braden, picked up roller hockey and eventually transitioned to ice hockey in 2002.
Limb said these events made her more inclined to play competitively, and, a couple of years later, she had the opportunity to attend an open event at the Eccles Ice Center where anyone could dress in full gear and scrimmage.
Her first time on the ice, Limb broke her arm. She said her father felt awful, since he had encouraged her to take up the sport. But, despite the accident, Limb gave hockey another chance.
Since then, she has progressed from rookie status to playing on an under-19 travel team to seasoned veteran with the Thunder.
“(Breshae) is a great kid,” said Dennis Marietti, head coach of the Utah Thunder. “She’s quiet, but she steps on the ice and she goes to work. She comes to play. When we first had her, she was on defense because we had a goalie. But that girl got pregnant, so Breshae stepped in.”
The opportunity didn’t come without sacrifice.
On top of losing her father and, before that, breaking an arm, Limb said there have been trips with the team in which she never left the hotel room other than for games because of homework. The Thunder travel for every game, causing Limb to miss multiple days of classes for each trip.
“It’s a challenge, and I do end up sacrificing when we travel,” Limb said. “I do it because I love it. I just want to play. (Teammates) will give me a hard time, but they understand. Most of us are going to school, too.”
Marietti also coached Limb during her time with the under-19 travel team and said Limb is dedicated and has a deep love for the game. During last season’s tournament, Limb allowed nine goals, as the Thunder outscored their opponents 29-9 en route to the championship.
This season, the Thunder won four of six games by one goal and another by two. According to the USA Hockey website, during this season’s national tournament, Limb faced 113 shots over a 6-game span, with 108 saves – a .956 save percentage.
Marietti said there’s no doubt Limb carried the team.
“When we were playing our crossover game against Rhode Island, it was a 1-1 game and they ended up with a two-on-one advantage coming up ice,” Marietti said. “They made a beautiful pass, and Breshae stepped across and made an unbelievable save. It was a game-changing save.”
The save forced overtime, and Limb and the Thunder tallied a decisive goal during the extra period for the win and earned a spot in the quarterfinals. Two games later, the Thunder topped team CAHA to capture its second consecutive national title.
In the five years he has coached Limb, Marietti said he can see the effect her father has had on her.
“(The Limbs) keep hockey in the family, and I think that’s something they like to keep in there because of what happened and how it happened,” Marietti said. “Their dad was big into the game. Somehow I think it keeps him in touch with her. In my mind, that is a good way to keep them in touch with him.”
Though her father wasn’t there to witness her winning two national titles, Limb’s mother and grandmother were, which Limb said strengthens her bond with each of them.
Limb also said her father was her biggest motivation throughout the competition.
“He was always supporting me, from the point that I started until he died,” Limb said. “And I feel like if he were here today, he would still be pushing me, telling me I can do it and cheering me on. I push myself because I want him to be proud of me and know that I do it for myself and so he knows that I am happy.”
– curtis.lundstrom@aggiemail.usu.edu