Coyotes capture league title, advance to provincials
CONSORT ENTERPRISE NEWS
Reprinted with permission
Last weekend was the league championship series for the 3C’s U15 female Coyotes as they took to the ice against the Stettler Storm for the banner and a berth in the U15-B Female Provincial Championship Tournament. In Game 1 on March 13 in Consort, a large, boisterous crowd filled the bleachers and cheered the Coyotes on to a 6-2 win.
Oyen-area girls who play on the 3C Coyote U15 girls hockey team (L-R): Brianna Lyster, Rowan Olsen, Sadie Rude, Harper Caskey, Georgia Thornton, Alaina Hagens. PHOTO SUBMITTED BY RYAN HAGENS
Five of the same six girls when they were just starting out in hockey. PHOTO SUBMITTED BY RYAN HAGENS
It was a tight first frame with both sides getting shots on goal, but it was Blakely Lundy, from Georgia Thornton, putting the first marker on the scoresheet at 11:41 to give the 3C’s a 1-0 lead.
The Storm got some momentum going in the second period and had lots of time in the Coyotes’ zone, but couldn’t beat goaltender Emily Dyki. Alaina Hagens, with Jailyn Saruga getting an assist, put a puck past the Storm netminder with five minutes left in the period to give the Coyotes a 2-0 edge to start the third.
The Coyotes were really clicking for the final frame and scored four unanswered goals in six minutes, including two short-handed markers on the same penalty kill. Jailyn Saruga made it 3-0 at 16:07; Hagens, set up by Kennedy Hronek, struck again at 12:03; Ava Boxma made it 5-0 at 10:40; and Hagens, with help from Harper Caskey, completed her hat trick at 10:05 to make it 6-0 in favour of the Coyotes.
The shorties took the wind out of the Storm for a few shifts, but they bounced back and kept attacking, scoring twice before the final buzzer.
On March 14, they faced off for Game 2 in Stettler, where they battled through a scoreless first period and were deadlocked through much of the second until Stettler scored with seven minutes left in the frame to take their first lead in the series. With just two minutes on the clock, Alaina Hagens, from Jailyn Saruga, put the 3C’s on the scoreboard.
The mood was tense in the Stettler arena as the rivals remained knotted at 1-1 through most of the third period and the clock was ticking down. With under five minutes left in the game, Alaina Hagens beat the Storm goaltender to bring the 3C’s fans out of their seats and give the Coyotes a lead. Ava Boxma earned an assist on the goal that held up as the game-winner, claiming the banner and sending the Coyotes to the provincial championship in Olds on March 27-29. For Hagens, her playoff run has been remarkable, scoring 11 goals over the last four games.
In Olds, battling with the 3C’s for the provincial title will be Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, Wood Buffalo Huskies, Edmonton Federation Hockey League WC, Edmonton Federation Hockey League, Calgary GHC Spark and the Olds Jr. Broncos.
As the team prepares to represent the RMFHL and 3C’s Minor Hockey, fundraising for the trip has started to help cover the expenses of tournament fees, accommodations, travel, etc. Any support is appreciated, and any business or individual interested in supporting the girls on their quest for provincial gold can contact Amber Schaffer at 403-575-0084, or any parent of the U15 female Coyotes.