SALMON ARM, BC – For the second consecutive season, Ontario Red has taken home the gold medal at the 2005 National Women’s Under-18 Championship and Team Quebec took home the silver. Ontario Red stifled the powerful Quebec offence and outshot them 32-19 en route to a 2-1 victory in the gold medal game. Team Ontario Red was dominant throughout the tournament allowing but a single goal against, which came in the third period of the final game, outscoring its opponents 19-1.
Rebecca Johnston opened the scoring early in the first period with her third goal of the tournament and Ontario Red then extended its lead in the second period on a goal by Kelly Paton. Team Quebec’s lone goal was scored by Audrey Belanger-Cournoyer mid-way through the third. Christina Kessler stopped 18 shots for the win, while Alexandra Garcia stopped 30 in a losing effort.
Team Atlantic took home the bronze medal in Sunday morning’s game against Team Manitoba. After a scoreless first period, Team Manitoba scored its lone goal of the night early in the second. Team Atlantic replied with two unanswered goals of its own and never looked back. Netminder Jillian McIsaac stood strong in goal for Team Atlantic stopping 29 shots and Kristine Labrie added an empty netter to clinch the 3-1 victory.
Below are the tournament award winners as chosen by Head Scout of Canada’s National Women’s Team, Wally Kozak:
Most Valuable Player: Laura Fridfinnson (Manitoba)
Top Forward: Rebecca Johnston (Ontario Red)
Top Goaltender: Christina Kessler (Ontario Red)
Top Defence: Brittany Maschmayer (Alberta)
Most Sportsmanlike Player: Stephanie Roy (Atlantic)
The National Under-18 Women's Hockey Championship is an event that brings together the top women’s players under 18 years old from across Canada. Teams participating include a combination of regional and provincial all-star teams: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, two teams from Ontario, Québec and the Atlantic (New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland).
The National Under-18 Women's Hockey Championship is part of Hockey Canada’s Women’s High Performance Program, complementing provincial women’s hockey efforts and preparing players for future international and high level training and competitions.