2016 National Women's Under-18 Championship

GAUDET GETS GAME-WINNER; B.C. OPENS WITH WIN

WENDY GRAVES

REGINA, Sask. – Miranda Gaudet (West Kelowna, B.C./Okanagan Hockey Academy, CSSHL) scored with 1:39 remaining in regulation as British Columbia erased a one-goal deficit in the third period to defeat Manitoba 3-2 in the opening game of the 2016 National Women’s Under-18 Championship.

The game appeared destined for overtime – nothing new to Manitoba, which went to extra time in four of its five games a year ago – until Amy Potomak (Aldergrove, B.C./Pacific, JWHL) threw the puck on net from the side boards and Gaudet put in the rebound in front.

Despite being outshot 46-23 – including 21-3 in the second period – B.C. came away with the win and improved its overall mark against Manitoba to 2-4.

Shay-lee McConnell (Port Alberni, B.C./Ontario Hockey Academy, ONMAAA) and Alex Allen (Abbotsford, B.C./Pacific, JWHL) also scored for B.C.

Kendra Woodland (Kamloops, B.C./Kamloops, KMHA MT1) picked up the win.

Holly Reuther (Winnipeg, Man./St. Mary’s Academy, CSSHL) and Ashley McFadden (Winnipeg, Man./St. Mary’s Academy, CSSHL) responded for Manitoba. Corinne Schroeder (Elm Creek, Man./Balmoral Hall, JWHL) took the loss in net.

B.C. got on the board early in this one. Only 41 seconds into the tournament, Tatum Amy (Birtle, Man./Yellowhead, MFMHL) was sent off for tripping, and B.C. took advantage. Molly Box’s (Vernon B.C./Pursuit of Excellence, CSSHL) point shot was put in at the side of the net by McConnell.

Manitoba equalized midway through the second period. Reuther skated in from the side boards and her shot from the face-off dot beat Woodland low far side under her blocker.

The team then took the lead late in the second period. After Ashton Bell (Deloraine, Man./Westman, MFMHL) shot just high on an outstanding effort through multiple defenders, the puck found its way back to the point. A low shot by Karlee Mazor (Winnipeg, Man./St. Mary’s Academy, CSSHL) was deflected en route to the net by McFadden.

B.C. responded early after the second intermission. Allan’s point shot squeaked through five-hole on Schroeder only 2:48 into the third

Twice Manitoba came close to retaking the lead late in the third. With four minutes to play, McFadden nearly had her second of the game, but just couldn’t pull the trigger at the side of the net with Woodland out of position. And with two minutes go, Reuther couldn’t get her second either, shooting just wide from in close.