30-03-2025
Regina Rebels defeat Outlook Ice Hawks in storm-delayed Saskatchewan Junior Female Hockey League championship series
Horrible road conditions delayed the Saskatchewan Junior Female Hockey League championship series, so the Regina Rebels waited one extra day before travelling to Outlook and winning their decisive game 4-1 against the hometown Mainline Ice Hawks on Saturday.
'We were just about to leave our houses to meet the bus on Friday when they decided to postpone it till Saturday,' said Rebels captain Brianna Westerman. 'Everyone had their bags packed. It was kind of disappointing because we were all hyped up, ready to go and we had been planning this day for awhile.
'It was definitely the safer option. The roads were not safe to go out there, so we understood. And it worked out.'
A March storm with heavy snowfall and freezing rain made driving unsafe on Saskatchewan highways leading up to the weekend. So the Rebels regrouped Saturday morning for the 200-kilometre bus ride northwest along Highways 11 and 15 for an afternoon matchup at Outlook's Jim Kook Recplex, where the Mainline Ice Hawks had lost only once all season.
Included in Outlook's hometown victories was a 4-3 overtime decision that opened the best-of-three final series, before the Rebels forced a tiebreaker with a 5-2 victory at the Al Ritchie Memorial Centre.
Outlook earned home-ice advantage by placing first in regular-season standings with a 15-3-2 record. Regina was second at 16-4-0, but had lost its last four of five meetings against the Ice Hawks before Saturday's finale.
After a scoreless first period, Piper Ast scored for the visitors and Teanna Crossman replied to send the teams into the third period tied 1-1.
Victoria Mann scored the game-winner on a 2-on-1 rush before power-play goals by Nyah Lang and Westerman, into an empty net, clinched the victory. Regina fired 35 shots at Outlook goalie Sydney Martin while Rebels goaltender Ryleigh Carson made 16 saves.
'We really had to figure out a way to beat their goalie, because they have a really strong goalie,' said Westerman, one of four Rebels who will be graduating from the under-22 junior squad. 'We got lots of shots but we couldn't figure out how to finish, until we got the first one and we started to feel more comfortable.'
This was the second season for the SJFHL, which was established to give women an opportunity to continue playing competitive hockey after completing their high school and under-18 eligibility. Saskatoon Prairie Blaze, who placed third this season and got eliminated by Regina in their semifinal series, was the reigning champion.
Westerman, Ast, Starla Mann and Zoe Kourles are Regina's graduating players. Westerman said coaching might be in her future.
'I'm super grateful we got to play junior and proud that we won,' said Westerman. 'And it would be super cool (to coach). I love hanging out with the team and I'm definitely gonna miss it. Coaching would be an awesome opportunity for me. It's a fun way to get involved in the game again.'
High-caliber junior league gives women a chance to continue playing hockey; Regina Rebels want to win it
Rebels upbeat for deciding game against Ice Hawks in Saskatchewan Junior Female Hockey League final
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