2010 Esso Cup

HOUNDS DOWN REBELS TO RECLAIM FIRST PLACE

REGINA, Sask. - Pride was on the line and fans packed the house Wednesday night inside the Co-operators Centre, as host team the Regina Rebels faced off against Western representatives the Notre Dame hounds from nearby Wilcox, Sask.

But despite the best efforts of the underdog Rebels, the Notre Dame Hounds were the ones to come out on top of this longstanding and heated rivalry, capping off the 4-2 matchup with an empty net goal by Brienna Gillanders (Kyle, Sask.) with just two seconds remaining in the game.

Up until that point, however, it was a tough and tight battle on the ice between two determined teams, with the Rebels looking to win their second game of the tournament and collect three more points and the Hounds hoping to go into the last day of round robin play at the top of the pack.

With a boisterous and colourful crowd backing them up, Taylor Woods (Wilcox, Sask.) scored Notre Dame's first goal of the night with help from Brooke Wilgosh (Regina, Sask.) and Gillanders at 8:46 in the first. But about three minutes later the hometown fans erupted in cheers when the Rebels jumped on a power play chance, with Jenny MacKnight (Regina, Sask.) evening up the score at one apiece on assists from Kelsa Duffy (Regina, Sask.) and Brittany MacDougall (Regina, Sask.).

Tension mounted in the second, with fans on both sides watching in anticipation as the puck flew up and down the ice. It was Olivia Howe (Moose Jaw, Sask.) who answered the call for Notre Dame, taking a quick pass out front from Woods and one-timing it behind Rebel netminder Krista Funke (Regina, Sask.) at 6:44 in the period.

But the Rebels fought back again, with Brooklyn Moskowy (Regina, Sask.) carrying the puck down the ice, flipping it toward the net and watching as it hit the back of the Notre Dame mesh. The play gave her an unassisted goal and the Rebels another one on a power play.

Moskowy's goal to tie it up at two apiece sent the hometown crowd into hysterics, but that would be the last time the Regina Rebels would light up the red bulb Wednesday. Jenny More (Wilcox, Sask.) helped the Hounds reclaim the lead before the second period was up, with help from Brittany Berisoff (Kelowna, B.C.) and Meagan Vestby (Swan River Man.).

The Hounds kicked off the third with a 3-2 lead and enthusiastic chants from their fans. But the Rebels didn't appear deterred, skating hard until the buzzer signalled the end of the game.

Although she let in three of Notre Dame's four goals, Funke played a brilliant game between the posts, making 35 huge saves and going home with well-deserved Player of the Game honours. For Notre Dame, Gillanders snagged two assists and a goal, while Howe was named Player of the Game.