Regina Rebels seize gold at U-18 National Women's Hockey Championship
The Regina Rebels made history over the weekend — taking home gold for the first time ever at the U-18 women’s hockey national championships.
The underdog Rebels defeated the North York Storm 2-1 Saturday afternoon at the tournament’s final in Vernon, B.C.
“It was crazy,” centre Ashley Breitkreuz told CTV News. “It’s kind of hitting me right now. But the moment when it happened – it was a feeling I’ll never forget.”
Pilot Butte’s own Berlin Lolacher was named top forward of the tournament — while the title of most valuable player went to Prince Albert’s Stryker Zablocki.
Rebel’s goaltender Hannah Tresek had a near shutout – blocking 26 of 27 shots on goal.
Lolacher opened scoring midway through the second period , while Zablocki piled on with another just two minutes later.
“We came out of the gates a little sluggish,” Head Coach Kim Perepeluk told recalled. “Maybe a little nerves but nonetheless I think our goaltending played very well in the first period until we were able to adjust for a little bit. But I think in periods two and three we played quite well.”
A late power play goal brought the Storm to within one. However, Tersek effectively shut the door in the closing minutes of the game, making four saves.
“Their ability to adjust and adapt and to play for each other is something we emphasize from day one," Perepeluk added. "With lots of talent, you can get through a lot of games in your regular season and against provincial teams but when you get to an elite level – you’ve got to play like a team, play for each other and play for the crest and I think they did.”
When asked what she'll remember from the experience, Breitkreuz highlighted the connections she formed on the long road to the Esso Cup.
“This year we’ve been through a lot and we built a tight bond through everything and I think that’s the biggest thing I’ll take [away]," she explained.
"I’ll never forget the moments we shared this year.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE @ 11 ET Following Trump's conviction in hush money case, he is set to hold news conference
A day after a New York jury delivered a historic guilty verdict in Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee will likely look to cast the conviction and his campaign in a new light.
'Unprecedented': Human smuggling from B.C. to U.S. soars, using train, Uber and foot
American prosecutors and law enforcement officers say they're dealing with a huge increase in human smuggling from British Columbia.
Actor Nick Pasqual charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing estranged girlfriend
An actor who has appeared in film and TV projects like 'Rebel Moon' and 'How I Met Your Mother' has been arrested and charged with stabbing his estranged girlfriend multiple times.
opinion Six ways to put your saving on autopilot and pay yourself first
In his latest personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew explains how automating your savings and paying yourself has never been easier, thanks to the digital banking tools and apps that are out there.
The northern lights are returning to night skies across Canada this Friday
If you missed the brilliant displays of the aurora borealis over North America on May 10, you may have another chance to see them on Friday night.
A pair enjoyed pricey meals and bolted when it was time to pay. Their dine and dash ended in jail
A Welsh couple who dined out on pricey meals and bolted when the bill came is now paying the price, behind bars.
ANALYSIS Will Donald Trump go to prison? What the precedent says
Now that the jury in Donald Trump's criminal trial has made the historic decision to convict him, the judge overseeing the case will soon face a monumental choice: whether to sentence the 2024 Republican presidential candidate to time behind bars.
Reactions pour in to Donald Trump's first-ever felony conviction for a former U.S. president
After hours of deliberations, a jury of Donald Trump's New York City peers convicted him on 34 counts, making him the first the former U.S. president in history with a felony conviction.
Montreal tech billionaire charged with several sex offences
Robert Miller was charged Thursday with several sexual assault charges after Montreal police reopened an investigation into the tech billionaire.