The bantam rep girls team took part in the Hayley Wickenheiser women’s hockey tournament in Burnaby, Nov. 17 – 20.
Coach for the team Mario Desjardins said the players had a fantastic showing at the tier one tournament, with three wins, a loss and a tie, bringing the team to a third place finish.
He said they also learned a little about what to expect from other teams.
“The competition was an excellent gauge as to what teams we will meet in the provincials,” Desjardins said, adding the best teams in the province were at this tournament.
“For coaching staff, this tournament was also a great opportunity to see what part of our game needs improvements and what we can continue doing to be a contender for a championship in March 2012 provincials,” he continued.
Game one of the tournament was against the Vancouver Angels, where Bailey Kasum scored in the first period and goaltender Kelsey Roberts held off any scoring from the Angels to ensure Terrace its 1-0 win.
Game two saw Terrace facing off against Kamloops, where Cassandra Hogman, Ashley Kuehne and Sage Desjardins all grabbed goals, leading Terrace to another shutout victory of 3-0.
Next, Terrace took on a team from Surrey in a fast-paced game that saw no scoring in the first period. Hogman opened things up in the second, and Surrey came back in the third to tie things up 1-1.
Desjardins managed to re-take the lead, however with seconds left in the game, Surrey tied it back up on a power play, bringing the match to a 2-2 result.
Game four was Terrace vs. the North Shore Winter Club, from north Vancouver. Desjardins stared off the scoring for Terrace with two goals in the first period. Sydney Desjardins finished off the scoring for Terrace, bringing the teams to 3-0 going into the second period. Sage Desjardins managed herself a hat trick as she scored Terrace’s fourth goal. Trisha Duarte grabbed the final goal for Terrace, bringing the team to a 5 – 2 win over the North Shore Winter Club, and a spot in its pool for the semi-finals.
In the semi-final match, Terrace was up against defending 2011 provincial winners the Richmond Ravens.
Terrace was in tough from the start as Richmond scored three goals in the first period. And while Rachel Giddings managed a goal for Terrace in the third period, Terrace lost the match 3-1.
Coach Desjardins said Terrace had its best showing ever at a female tier one tournament. Next for the team will be a tournament in Prince George Dec. 2.
Following that tournament, coach Desjardins said the players will have a chance to try out for the northern team on Dec. 30. The northern team will represent its zone at the BC Winter Games.
