The Williams Lake Midget Female Timberwolves skated to a second-place finish during the weekend at the Surrey Superheart Tournament.
The T-wolves, last year’s defending champions, fell in a shootout to Sherwood Park in the final.
“The tournament, again this year, saw a very strong field of teams invited,” Timberwolves head coach Roy Call said.
The 2016 champs began their title defence against one of the top teams in B.C. from Victoria. The game ended in a scoreless draw and set up the second game Friday against an elite league team from Sherwood Park, Alta.
“That game was another close battle with the final score being 1-1,” Call said. “Although we held the lead most of the game a late goal allowed Alberta to get away with a point.”
Saturday, the Williams Lake girls played a well-known squad from Kamloops and, after a fast-paced start, Kamloops took an early lead.
“The girls stuck with the game plan and battled back for a 2-1 win where the winner would advance to the finals and the loser would most likely be eliminated,” Call said.
“Another excellent effort from the entire team.”
Call said Sherwood Park plays in the elite hockey division, a regional team format similar to major midget in B.C.
“Many teams in that division are former major midget teams who have been forced to create a new league when Alberta hockey downsized the major midget league.”
Call said in the final both teams put in a great effort and, although his team took six penalties, they were able to post their third regulation shutout of the tournament.
“Unfortunately, the girls could not get that one goal we needed,” he said.
They began overtime shorthanded in a four on three penalty kill.
“The girls were able to kill that one off and, although there were great chances for both teams, the overtime decided nothing and the game went to a shootout,” he said.
The goaltenders both had the best of shooters and, finally, after seven shooters from each team, Sherwood Park was able to get one up under the bar for the win.
“Our team surrendered only two goals against in five games against some very tough teams,” Call said. “The goaltending of both Tamara William and Rachel Cross has been terrific, but from the defenders to the centres the entire team deserves credit for that amazing stat.”
The team is now gearing up for provincials in Parksville in March and put the Superheart teams on notice they shouldn’t be taken lightly.
They’ll be in action at home this weekend for three games — two on Saturday and one on Sunday — against Dawson Creek.