The Lakeland U13 AA Female Panthers hit the highway early Saturday for a mid-day showdown with the top team in the league, the Camrose Wildcats. The girls put up a terrific fight but came up just short, falling 5–3 in a tight one.

The Wildcats rely heavily on one very strong line that drives most of their offence. The Panthers, on the other hand, continue to show they’re one of the most balanced squads in the league. Most of Camrose’s damage came in the opening twenty minutes, jumping ahead 4–1 by the first intermission. The lone Panthers marker came from rushing defenceman Tessianna Shirt — an unassisted beauty.

In the second period, the momentum swung. The Panthers took over the pace, clawing back with a goal from Kaleigha “Mama” Dion — a thing of beauty that would make Draisaitl jealous of her shooting angle — and another from Jada Fineday. All three Panthers goals were recorded as unassisted. Still, without video replay, the refs don’t always catch the helpers, and the scorekeeper is usually just trying to keep up with the goals.

No scoring in the third, but plenty of guts. With tight checking from Aubrey Scanie, Mia Moosewah-Littlechild and Grace Manson, the Panthers killed off three penalties to stay in the battle right to the final buzzer.

 

Sunday Rivarly Match

On Sunday, the Panthers were back at home hosting their rivals from the border city, the Lloydminster Steelers. And right off the opening draw, Vienna “The Bug” Colbourne blasted the building awake — breaking free, deking out a defender, and snapping a wicked wrist shot top shelf. They didn’t credit an assist on the play, but her linemates, Aspyn “Machine Gun” Kelly and Jada Fineday, absolutely forced the turnover that sprung The Bug loose.

Once again, defenceman Tessianna Shirt jumped into the rush and buried one, sending the Panthers into the break up 2–1.

Lloydminster tied it on a power play early in the second. Still, the Panthers answered with a power play goal of their own — Markelle Whitford-Bull cashing in, assisted by the hardworking duo of Avery Doody and Morgan Oomen. The teams were knotted 3–3 heading into the third.

Things got heated in the final frame. Penalty trouble caught up with the Panthers, and the Steelers made them pay, scoring on the advantage and then adding more as the period wore on. Despite the Panthers gutting out three penalty kills in the third, the final score tilted 7–3 in favour of Lloydminster.

 

Sporthound Notes

Keep your eyes on Mighty Mouse #5 Brenna Brunet, an underage player, who is feisty and has great hockey sense; she consistently earns her place on the team.

Strong defensive efforts came from Mia Chappell, Baylee Brunet, Maja “Pinchy” Pinch and Maggie “Mugsy” Mahé.

And hats off to goaltender Jayvrie Houle, who was nothing short of outstanding all weekend — facing 47 shots on Saturday and another 51 on Sunday. A rock in the crease.

 

Winter Games Play-in Series

This weekend, the U13 AA Panthers are battling for the right to represent Zone 7 at the Alberta Winter Games. With the Games happening right here in the Lakeland this February, it would be the story of the year to see the Panthers skate their way in and defend home ice on the province’s biggest stage.

 

They’ll have to earn every inch:

• Friday – 7:00 pm vs Lloydminster Steelers
• Saturday – 5:15 pm vs Wood Buffalo Huskies

 

Both games at the R.J. Lalonde Arena in Bonnyville.

 

Sunday – if needed.