CARNORA — The Prairie Ice Female U15A girls hockey team has started the playoffs in the Sask Female Hockey League on a roll, winning four straight games to sweep the first two rounds.
But the Ice knew right from the first game in Canora against Estevan on Feb. 27 that they were in for a battle, according to head coach Ryan Hauber.
“They had a great goalie,” said Hauber. “We outshot them double in the first game but they still took us to triple overtime.”
Marlee Sedor of Yorkton scored the winner for the ice about five minutes into the third overtime period for a 3-2 victory.
“As a coach, you get more grey hairs in a game like that,” admitted Hauber. “I just try to keep the girls on an even keel even if they’re tired, focus on getting the next shot on goal.”
Winning a game like that tends to have a significant impact on players long after the game is over.
“In following games it gives them tenacity to push through hardships, which is not easy when you’re tired,” shared Hauber.
The Ice looked good early in game two in Estevan on March 5, building a 3-0 lead after 40 minutes.
“Our girls played well for the first two periods,” assessed Hauber. “Give them credit, Estevan clawed back in the third and made it 3-2. But we preserved and got the win by 5-2.”
The series win against Estevan set up a second round date with the Balcarres Barracudas, who had finished just ahead of the Ice in the regular season standings.
A fast start was the difference as the Ice took game one of the series on the road against Balcarres on March 9. A three-goal first period, including a goal in the first 30 seconds by Makayla Heshka of Canora, started the Ice on the way to a 4-3 win. Other goal scorers were Emery Rogers of Foam Lake with two, and one by Jenaya Stevenson of Cote First Nation.
Assists were contributed by: Katherine Hauber and Paisley Wolkowski of Canora, Jessica Madsen of Theodore, Camryn Nelson of Preeceville and Jordyn Seversen of Pelly. The teams split four minor penalties.
“Balcarres has a really strong defence,” said Hauber. “In game one we started really well, but they fought back and tied it. We were fortunate enough to score the winner.”
While game one had it’s first goal in the first minute of the first period, game two went scoreless for better than 56 minutes. But just when it was looking like overtime was inevitable, Jessee Kopelchuk of Canora scored on a shot from the point with just over three minutes left. Camryn Nelson of Preeceville added a valuable insurance goal just over a minute later for a 2-0 final score. Assists came from: Alaina Roebuck of Buchanan, Jessica Madsen of Theodore and Marlee Sedor of Yorkton.
Hauber was not entirely pleased with his team’s performance in the early part of the game.
“There could have been goals for us sooner. We didn’t move the puck like we can in the first two periods, but we did much better in the third.”
Brooke Taylor of Kamsack was full value for the shutout with a number of big saves while the game was still scoreless, and was the winning goalie in all four games during the first two playoff rounds.
Hauber said the credit for the team’s four straight playoff wins can be spread throughout the whole roster.
“We’re getting goals from just about all the girls, someone different seems to be contributing every night. That’s been a big part of our success.”
Next up is a series against The Parkland Fire, based out of Melville, who finished first in the division ahead of the Ice.
“They have really strong forwards and a big defence, their goaltending can be weak,” said Hauber. “They’re a tough team to play against.”
Game two of the best-of-three series is set for the Canora Civic Centre on March 18.
