MIDALE – The Southeast Apex U18 AA Goldwings are the best in the province.
The Goldwings defeated the Warman Wildcats 4-2 March 30 at the Harry O Memorial Arena in Midale to win the best-of-three Hockey Saskatchewan U18 AA female provincial final in three games. The contest doubled as the Saskatchewan Female Hockey League's final for the division.
For the second straight game, Warman raced out to a 2-0 lead in the first period, but the Goldwings fought back. Hadley Gerle and Elizabeth Gill scored power-play goals less than two minutes apart for the Wings in the second period to tie the game.
Coach Rodney Reid said he told the players after the first period to relax, settle in and play to their potential.
"We had to strike on the power play, because all year we were the lowest penalized team in the league. We knew we were going to get our opportunities. We just had to capitalize," said Reid.
Then in the third, Samara Seghers scored what proved to be the winning goal with 7:52 to play, and Ella Schenher added a goal with just over two minutes to play to clinch the victory.
Kiera Barker made 16 saves to get the win. The Wings outshot Warman 39-18.
"The girls really deserved it this time around," said Reid, who has been part of the team for five years. "We've always been trying to do it, and now we finally made it."
It helped they had come back from a 2-0 deficit in Game 2 of the final.
"That's one thing with this team. The resilience they had. They never, ever gave up. In girls' hockey, it's hard to come back, but the girls were resilient and they wanted to do it," said Reid.
The Goldwings finished second in the South Division during the regular season with a 21-6 record. They advanced to the final by sweeping the top-ranked Regina Rebels, which Reid said gave them a boost in confidence.
"We were the best team in the league. I knew that all year. We won that big game down in Regina, that first one in double overtime, and that was just enough to bring them back home and just end it. The girls, they were excited to do that.
"The Rebels usually have a target on their back, because they've been our nemesis here for the last five year," said Reid.
The Wings have been a powerhouse for a number of years, often finishing among the top teams in their league. This year marks their first provincial title. Reid said the work ethic, the drive and the heart exhibited off the bat were the difference.
"You could tell in September they wanted it," said Reid.
The Goldwings had the right amount of talent this year and the players were willing to listen. They worked hard in practices, too.
Warman was the No. 2 team in the North Division with a 16-9-2 mark during the season, and reached the final by beating the Saskatoon Comet Legends.
The Goldwings are losing eight players to graduation. Those players, described by Reid as their "Great 8", spent all three years of U18 together with the Wings, and also played together for their second season at the U15 AA level. Reid said it's wonderful to see them go out on top.
It was also special to win in Midale. The rink was packed and fans were rooting for their team.
"The old Harry O Memorial was about as full as it's been in 15 years, and that's pretty good. To see the following that the girls have, that's what you want. And there's not a lot of hockey games going on March 30th, the second last day of the season in Saskatchewan."
