VERNON, British Columbia –The Regina Rebels have won their first Esso Cup, defeating the North York Storm 2-1 in thrilling fashion on Saturday afternoon to win gold at Canada’s Women’s U18 National Club Championship.

Berlin Lolacher (Pilot Butte, SK), who was named the top forward of the tournament, scored the opening goal midway through the second period, beating Storm netminder Jamie Sanford (Toronto, ON). Sanford proved tough to beat, stopping 47 of the 49 shots Regina fired her way.

“This is an unbelievable feeling,” Lolacher said. “I don’t have words to describe this feeling. After the bronze medal last year, we had one goal: to win this tournament. And here we are. This is amazing.”

The tournament’s most valuable player, Stryker Zablocki (Prince Albert, SK), scored the eventual game-winner just two minutes after Lolacher broke the deadlock.

"To go from bronze (in 2023) to gold was our only thought this week,” added Zablocki . “Saskatchewan is always known as a bit of an underdog but here we are, and there is no group of girls I would rather go to battle with. I love this team; these girls and this feeling is something we will always remember. I’m so proud of how hard we worked to get to this point and to call ourselves national champions… it’s special.”

Lily Paisley (Mount Albert, ON) brought the Storm within one with a late power-play goal, but Rebels netminder Hannah Tresek (Regina, SK) shut the door in the final minutes, making four saves as the clock wound down. Tresek finished with 26 saves.

Edmonton Jr. Oilers defeat Thompson-Okanagan Lakers to win bronze

Earlier in the day, Edmonton rebounded from a 4-1 loss to North York in the semifinals to win the bronze medal, defeating host Thompson-Okanagan 1-0 in overtime to secure the program's fifth Esso Cup bronze medal.

Captain Layla Matthew (Edmonton, AB) scored the game-winner just over four minutes into the extra frame.

Mackenzie Gould-Sharpe (Red Deer, AB) earned the shutout, making 12 saves. The Jr. Oilers, who finished in first place in the preliminary round, outshot the Lakers 35-12.

Following the game, the Esso Cup award winners were announced:

Top Goaltender – Jorja Burrows (New Glasgow, NS / Northern Selects)
Top Defender – Ciara Lang (Edmonton, AB / Edmonton Jr. Oilers)
Top Forward – Berlin Lolacher (Pilot Butte, SK / Regina Rebels)
Most Sportsmanlike Player – Sydney Bowness (Toronto, ON / North York Storm)
Esso Cup Scholarship – Lily Roberts (Vernon, BC / Thompson-Okanagan Lakers)
Most Valuable Player – Stryker Zablocki (Prince Albert, SK / Regina Rebels)

For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2024 Esso Cup, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X and Instagram, and by using #EssoCup.