OKANAGAN ADVANCES TO GOLD MEDAL GAME WITH SHUTOUT WIN OVER SHAFTESBURY

by Jesse Pelletier

WINNIPEG, Man. – A goal from Alyssa MacMillan (Penticton, B.C.) at the 10:48 mark of the first period held up as the game-winner, as the Okanagan Hockey Academy defeated Shaftesbury Hockey Academy in a 3-0 shutout Saturday afternoon at the Iceplex. 

The win advances Okanagan Hockey Academy, from Penticton, B.C., to the first-ever gold medal game at the Female World Sport School Challenge. The puck drops Sunday at 1:30 p.m. CT against the Edge School for Athletes from Calgary, Alta. The Edge defeated the Pursuit of Excellence from Kelowna, B.C., 6-4 in Saturday’s other semifinal.

Hannah Miller (North Vancouver, B.C.) potted an empty net goal late in the third, giving her five in the tournament. Alexa Ranahan (Salmon Arm, B.C.) also netted an empty net goal to seal the deal for Okanagan.  Shaftesbury goaltender Rachel Dyck (Winnipeg Beach, Man.) was phenomenal all afternoon, turning aside 16 shots throughout the game including two breakaways.

Okanagan controlled the majority of the game, outshooting Shaftesbury 9-3 in the first and 8-4 in the third. Shaftesbury showed some life in the second frame, amassing seven shots while limiting Okanagan to just one in the period, but they could not solve Okanagan netminder Michaela Logan (North Vancouver, B.C.), who made 14 saves and earned the shutout.

Sunday’s final should prove to be an exciting game as Okanagan and Edge School met in round robin action, with Okanagan coming out on top in a 4-3 shootout victory.