2015 National Women's Under-18 Championship

MANITOBA EARNS SECOND SHOOTOUT WIN

WENDY GRAVES

HUNTSVILLE, Ont. – Manitoba has spent more time on the ice than other team so far at the 2015 National Women’s Under-18 Championship.

It’s safe to say the team will happily continue its extra periods at the rink if it means more wins.

Manitoba won its second shootout game in as many days, this time 3-2 over Quebec.

Ryleigh Houston (Winnipeg, Man./Balmoral Hall, JWHL) slid a forehand five-hole for the only goal.

Manitoba forced the shootout after battling back from an early two-goal deficit.

After Quebec struggled to find an offensive groove in its first game – a 2-1 loss to Ontario Red – less than 24 hours later the team did a better job of asserting itself early.

Only 1:39 into the game, Quebec worked the puck around the offensive zone, setting up Camille Fleury’s (Ste-Julie, Que./Nord, LHFDQ) shot from the point. Less than six minutes later, Laurie Fontaine’s (Longueuil, Que./Nord, LHFDQ) shot from just outside the top of the face-off circle was redirected five-hole by Dezirary De Sousa (Montreal, Que./Exeter High School, USHS), making it 2-0.

Manitoba began its comeback 11:39 into the second period.

Kelli Rowswell (Winnipeg, Man./Balmoral Hall, JWHL) blocked a shot at one end, then broke free toward the other, getting hauled down by Fleury before getting off a shot. No penalty shot was called; instead, Fleury was sent off for holding.

She didn’t sit long.

Ashton Bell (Deloraine, Man./Westman, MFMHL) sent a pass from the high slot to the face-off circle, where Kayla Friesen (Winnipeg, Man./St. Mary’s Academy, CAHS) one-timed it to the back of the net.

Manitoba continued to seize the momentum as the second period went on. After capitalizing on the power play, the team continued to stay in the offensive zone for longer stretches than its opponent.

A pretty passing play 11:21 into the third completed the comeback. Houston sent a pass from just inside the face-off circle to Sheridan Oswald (MacGregor, Man./Central Plains, MFMHL), stationed behind the goal line. Jenai Buchanan (Crystal City, Man./Pembina Valley, MFMHL) finished off the tic-tac-toe from the top of the crease.

Kerigan Dowhy (The Pas, Man./Shaftesbury Academy, CAHS) made 18 saves for the win. Marie-Pier Coulombe (Carignan, Que./Limoilou, CEGEP) stopped 32 shots for Quebec.

Manitoba moves to 2-0 in Group A and next faces Ontario Red on Friday (7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT). Quebec falls to 0-2 and faces Saskatchewan, also on Friday (10:30 a.m. ET/7:30 a.m. PT)