The U18 Female Stars travelled to Kamloops to take part in the big Female hockey showcase Winter Blast tournament over the weekend.
The Lumby squad faced Surrey in their tournament opener Friday night on the Olympic ice at McArthur Island sports complex. The game was a hard fought battle with Stars going on the board first at 6:42 of the 1st period on a goal from Hailee Hunt on a beauty pass from Julia Bueckert. Surrey tied it up at 2:46 of the second period. The third was back and forth with Netminder Alexis Godard stellar between the pipes. Defensive line mates Jenna Maltman, Faith Seehaver and Kiel Hayward were solid on the back line with short bench.
Surrey capitalized on a missed opportunity and got the go ahead goal with 2 minutes remaining in the third and hung on to win 2-1 to give the Stars their first loss of the season.
Earning the MVP for the game was Goalie Alexa Godard and heart and hustle award went to Kiel Hayward. Sat morning game saw the stars face Langley at Valleyview.
The Stars had a small bench but managed to use their strong work ethic, and smart passing and plays to shut the Langley squad down 8-0 with Tyra Cunningham earning the shutout.
It was a complete team effort with goals coming from Bueckert 1-1, Hunt 2-1, Jenna Davidson 2-1 , Julia McLennan 1-1, Parker Davidson 1-1 and Hayward 1. Assists to Maltman, seehaver and Kaitlyn Lavailee, MVP of game went to Jenna Maltman And Heart and Hustle to Faith Seehaver. Sat evening the Stars faced host Kamloops and came out with a 4-2 win. Maltman scored the opener on a feed from Lavailee, followed by two from Caydence Quibell in first and second periods assisted by Seehaver.
The Kamloops team came within one before Hayward added the 4th goal in the third to put the stars ahead 4-2 to end the game and give the Stars a 2-1 record with a +9 goal differential to put them in second place in round robin and a berth to the championship game Sunday.
MVP was Quibell And Heart and hustle was awarded to Julia Bueckert. Sundays Championship game saw the Stars have the fullest bench they have had all year and a thirst for redemption against the 3-1 Surrey team from their loss Friday night. Cunningham was in net while co netminder Godard suited up to play forward in support.
It was a game anticipated to be hard fought and did not disappoint with chances back and forth with strong skating, stick handling, netminding and plays. AP Abby Gamache showed she was a force to not take lightly as she maneuvered around Surrey defenders to get a break away and hit the top post and shock Surrey.
Finally Julia McLennan scored late in the second period unassisted from the corner on a sharp angle to put the Stars ahead 1-0. Play continue to be a battle well into the third when Surrey pulled their goalie with more than 2 minutes left to give a man advantage and pressure the stars.
The Stars showed their determination and hard team work and Hunt came up with the puck and did some skilled stick handling to get around and up to Center before making a skilled relaxed shot into the empty net to put the stars ahead 2-0. Surrey continued to battle and not quit right to the end.
The Stars ended up on top winning gold with a 2-0 win to a shocked Surrey team. Stars would like to thank all their family, friends and fans who came to cheer them on and watch online.
Next game is AWAY Sat Dec 9th in Kelowna at Memorial Arena at 7:30pm. Then home game on Sun Dec 17th vs Kamloops at 1:45pm. Come cheer this hard working team on that is a team comprised from 12-19 year olds working together to have a team and represent female hockey to the best they can.
