OUTLOOK - Things are looking pretty even when one looks at the landscape of the SJFHL these days. Most notably, the rivalry that's heated up quickly between the Outlook Mainline Ice Hawks and the Regina Rebels.
The Under-22 female squads, facing each other in the playoff finals for the league's top prize, the Bourgault Cup, faced off in Game One of the series at the Jim Kook Rec Plex on Friday, March 21.
The series coming down to these two teams, this first game was a back-and-forth affair that saw momentum shift between the benches.
In the first period, the team that took the first goal of the night was Outlook at the 16:15 mark, made by #6 Taylor Grimeau-Nolan. That would be the only time that the puck would see the back of the net in this chunk of time, but things would soon heat up in the second.
That's because the second period would belong to the hosting Hawks, with #22 Teanna Crossman nabbing her team's second goal at the 17:59 mark on the clock. Just under ten minutes later as the game stretched on, Hawks #24 Kienna Higgs scored on a power play, making the score 3-0 for the home team as the action moved into the third.
However, these last twenty minutes of regulation belonged to Regina as the Rebels managed to regroup in a solid way. On a power play, it was #18 Brooklyn Hramalak who got her team on the scoreboard at the 16:31 mark. Three and a half minutes later, it was Regina's #8 Abigail Manz who scored a goal, and the nine minutes later, #18 Hramalak scored her second goal of the night, tying things up with four minutes remaining in the game.
With the scoreboard reading 3-3 at the end of regulation, the action moved into overtime, and this was where Outlook made a comeback at the most opportune time. At the 3:49 mark on a power play, Hawks #12 Taylor Leitch managed to sink one past Regina's goalie, meaning this game belonged to Outlook, though the Rebels didn't make it easy for them in any way.
Two days later, on Sunday, March 23, Outlook ventured down to Regina to play the Rebels in Game Two at Al Ritchie Arena. In front of a raucous crowd, as well as online for those watching at home, the story of this game turned out to be that Regina had regrouped in a big way and didn't let up against the Hawks.
In the first period, it was #18 Brooklyn Hramalak who began to give an MVP performance in this game when she got the Rebels on the scoreboard first at 12:11. Just less than ten minutes later, she did it once again, giving Regina the lead at a 2-0 score heading into the second.
The action slowed down in these next twenty minutes, but it certainly wasn't without any goals 小蓝视频 scored, as Regina #16 Nyah Long sunk one in at the 19:29 mark. Both teams fought for control of the puck, but Outlook's chances at leaving the provincial capital with the league title weren't looking too good as things headed into the third period.
That said, the Hawks didn't go down without some formidable swings of their own. At the 19:17 mark, Outlook #4 Emma Carson got her team on the board with a goal before things slowed down for the next ten minutes or so on the clock. Regina's #18 Hramalak scored her third goal of the game at 8:52, putting her team further ahead. In the final three minutes of the game, Hawks #22 Teanna Crossman slapped one in at 3:12, but it would be the last goal for Outlook in this game.
Looking to power up their offense, the Hawks pulled their goalie in the final two minutes, but it was a no-go as Rebels #18 Hramalak shot and scored the last goal of this contest, making it her fourth of the game.
Regina would take the win on this night at a score of 5-2, meaning both teams will play in Game Three of the series, which will determine the top champions of the SJFHL.
The winning squad who'll take home the Bourgault Cup will be decided this Friday night, March 28 at the Jim Kook Rec Plex in Outlook, with a game time of 8:00 pm.
