2009 National Women's Under-18 Championship

ALBERTA STARTS A WINNING STREAK

SURREY, B.C. – Alberta edged Manitoba 3-2 on the ice Thursday afternoon, with Molly MacDonald (Wetaskiwin, Alta.) and Taylor, Sakundiak (Calgary, Alta.) proving to be the big playmakers of the game.

Both Alberta forwards earned two assists in the fast-paced game, together helping their teammates secure all three goals against Manitoba.

MacDonald’s first pass was to Sadie Lenstra (Calgary, Alta.), who scored less than five minutes into the first, ensuring a strong start for Alberta. Sakundiak and MacDonald combined their talents on the second goal, with Brittney Fouracres (Airdrie, Alta.) finishing it off, putting Alberta up 2-0 going into the first intermission.

Karlee Odland (Vauxhall, Alta.) made it three for her team, with Sakundiak again assisting, but Alberta wasn’t about to hold on to its 3-0 lead.
Manitoba tried its hand at a comeback in the second half of the game, with Christine Bestland (Brunkild, Man.) taking advantage of a power play in the last couple of minutes of the second.

Elisabeth Hewett (Oak Bluff, Man.) helped her team narrow the gap with a goal midway through the third, but Alberta was able to hold off Manitoba for the remainder of the period – and the game.

This makes it two wins in two days for the Albertans, who will try for three Friday afternoon (1 p.m.) against Quebec. Manitoba has had one win and won loss thus far in the tournament, with the team’s next chance to earn some points to be when they face British Columbia for the last game of preliminary action Friday night (8 p.m. PST).