The Parkland Lions capped off a dominant South Saskatchewan Female Hockey League campaign by claiming the Bantam division title on Sunday, March 15.
The Lions, who finished the regular season with a perfect 22-0-0 record, faced the Moose Jaw Mavericks in the league final.
Moose Jaw finished second in the regular season with a record of 16-5-1.
On March 13, the Lions hosted Game One in Bredenbury.
Hannah Pennell opened the scoring late in the first period.
Second period markers by Heather Fiske and McKenna Davis gave the Lions a 3-0 lead entering the final frame.
In the third period the Lions’ constant pressure and lineup depth lead to five unanswered goals. Scoring for the Lions were Brooke Hausermann with a pair and Olivia Gordon, Cassidy Entz, and Heather Fiske with singles for an 8-0 shutout for the Lions.
Goaltender Taylor Nagy picked up the shutout victory for the Lions. “I thought that we got better as the game went on, and it was really the depth of our lineup that allowed us to win going away,” said coach Chad Holinaty. “That’s been a bit of our pattern all year.
“We tend to wear teams down, and after we get that first goal, we just keep attacking wave after wave.”
The Lions’ tenacious team defence also limited Moose Jaw’s scoring opportunities throughout the 60 minute affair, although they did have some discipline problems. “We did run into some penalty trouble, but we really did a good job of skating well and attacking the puck,” commented coach Dean Shyiak. “Our defencemen did a good job taking away the time and space from Moose Jaw, and if they did get out of position, our forwards were back-checking hard to support them.”
Game Two of the best-of-three league final took place Sunday, March 15 in Moose Jaw. “We knew that Moose Jaw would come out hard and play with a lot of energy and pride,” observed coach Kim Pennell. “This was going to be their last home game, win or lose, so we knew we would have to match their energy.
“They have some girls who can really skate, so we reminded the girls about not just playing hard but being in good position as well.”
Pennell’s prediction proved correct as the teams skated to a scoreless first period.
In the second period, however, the Lions relentless attack led to five unanswered goals. Jordan Holinaty opened the scoring for the Lions.
The Lions then added three more goals in a span of just 46 seconds, getting tallies from Heather Fiske, Olivia Gordon, and Cassidy Entz.
Holinaty added her second of the contest late in the frame to give the Lions a 5-0 lead going into the third period. “Once we got that first goal the girls seemed to relax and cash in on some of their opportunities,” said coach Jason Gordon. “After we got the second goal, you could see the energy shift.
“Our bench got fired up and you could see their team sag. The girls just kept attacking and attacking, and it was good to see them get rewarded for it.”
Sierra Meroniuk added the only goal of the final frame, while goaltender Taylor Nagy picked up the shutout victory for the Lions in a 6-0 banner-clinching victory.
The win for the Lions wrapped up an amazing regular season for the Parkland club. Their perfect 22-0 record was highlighted by an incredible 157 goals for with a paltry 10 goals against. Nagy picked up an amazing 16 shutouts.
The Lions tacked on another 54 goals and four shutouts in six playoff games. “This has been a very special team, both on and off the ice,” reflected Holinaty. “The commitment these players and parents have demonstrated has been amazing. The girls work hard and have had a lot of fun along the way.
“It was an awesome experience to be part of a team that went undefeated in their league; something very few players in any sport at any level can claim. A good number of these girls have been a part of this team for the last two or three seasons. It’s been awesome to see them develop individually and as a team to get to this point.”
The next action for the Lions this season will be in the Provincial Bantam ‘A’ Finals against Saskatoon. The Lions host Game One in the two-game-total-goals series on Friday, March 20 in Bredenbury. Game Two takes place Sunday, March 22 in Saskatoon.
