Shannon Coulter
It’s been a decade since the Regina Rebels were last at the Esso Cup. Now, the team has a chance to make its third appearance at the Women’s U18 National Club Championship after winning the Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA Hockey League (SFU18AAAHL) championship. Both Rebels’ playoff series came down to decisive Game 3s and Hannah Tresek led the way in goal, posting shutouts in both deciding games to help Regina advance to the West Regional.
The Winnipeg Ice are hoping to make its first appearance at the Esso Cup after swiftly winning the Manitoba Female Hockey League (MFHL) title. The Ice swept the Interlake Lightning and Winnipeg Avros to meet rival Westman Wildcats in the final. Although the Wildcats won three of four meetings during the regular season, the Ice swept the series to clinch the provincial crown. Netminder Jordyn Nepinak-Sargent was named playoff MVP with an 8-0 record, 0.74 GAA and two shutouts against the Wildcats.
RECENT CHAMPIONS (ESSO CUP FINISH) 2022 – Notre Dame Hounds (third place) 2019 – Saskatoon Stars (fourth place) 2018 – Saskatoon Stars (silver medal) 2017 – Prince Albert Bears (fifth place) 2016 – Saskatoon Stars (fourth place)
REGINA REBELS SFU18AAAHL CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 24-5-1 (1st in SFU18AAAHL) Goals for: 139 Goals against: 60 Leading scorer: Greta Henderson (36G 29A 65P)
Playoff record: 4-2 Goals for: 23 Goals against: 10 Leading scorer: Ashley Grice (4G 5A 9P)
ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL Semifinal: defeated Notre Dame Hounds 2-1 (9-2, 1-2, 1-0) Final: defeated Saskatoon Stars 2-1 (5-3, 1-3, 6-0)
Last national championship appearance: 2013 (fourth place) Total national championship appearances: 2 (2010, 2013)
WINNIPEG ICE MFHL CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 22-5-1 (2nd in MFHL) Goals for: 132 Goals against: 43 Leading scorer: Haley Braun (27G 22A 49P)
Playoff record: 9-0 Goals for: 30 Goals against: 7 Leading scorer: Haley Braun (7G 6A 13P)
ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL Quarterfinal: defeated Interlake Lightning 3-0 (2-1, 4-1, 7-0) Semifinal: defeated Winnipeg Avros 3-0 (5-1, 4-2, 2-1) Final: defeated Westman Wildcats 3-0 (4-1, 1-0, 1-0)
Last national championship appearance: none Total national championship appearances: none