Shannon Coulter
After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the Edmonton Pandas booked its ticket to the Pacific Regional after defeating the three-time reigning Esso Cup champions, the St. Albert Slash, in the playoffs. Goals from Taylor Robinson and Emerson Jarvis, plus a 20-save performance from Misty Rey, led Edmonton to beat the Slash to win the AFHL championship.
The Fraser Valley Rush dropped the first game of its three-game series against Northern Capitals but battled back to win the final two games and claim the B.C. Elite Hockey League title. The Rush got off to a quick start in the series-deciding game with three goals in the first period—including Gillian Lapierre’s first of two goals coming only 13 seconds into the game—to earn a spot in the regionals.
RECENT CHAMPIONS (ESSO CUP FINISH) 2019 – St. Albert Slash (gold medal) 2018 – St. Albert Slash (gold medal) 2017 – St. Albert Slash (gold medal) 2016 – Rocky Mountain Raiders (bronze medal) 2015 – Red Deer Chiefs (silver medal)
EDMONTON PANDAS AFHL CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 26-1-2 (1st in AFHL) Goals for: 111 Goals against: 29 Leading scorer: Cassidy Rhodes (14G 21A 35P)
Playoff record: 3-1 Goals for: 14 Goals against: 9 Leading scorer: Emerson Jarvis (7G 2A 9P)
ROAD TO THE PACIFIC REGIONAL Round Robin: defeated Red Deer Chiefs 5-4; lost to St. Albert Slash 1-2; defeated Calgary Fire 6-2 Final: defeated St. Albert Slash 2-1
Last national championship appearance: 2015 (5th place) Total national championship appearances: 7 (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)
FRASER VALLEY RUSH BCEHL CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 28-3-1 (1st in BCEHL) Goals for: 140 Goals against: 43 Leading scorer: Aynsley D’Ottavio (11G 44A 55P)
Playoff record: 4-1 Goals for: 22 Goals against: 9 Leading scorer: Gillian Lapierre (4G 4A 8P)
ROAD TO THE PACIFIC REGIONAL Semifinal: defeated Thompson-Okanagan Lakers 2-0 (7-1, 4-1) Final: defeated Northern Capitals 2-1 (3-4, 3-2, 5-1)
Last national championship appearance: 2014 (5th place) Total national championship appearances: 2 (2013, 2014)