The Estevan peewee A Vipers have struck first in their South Saskatchewan Female Hockey League (SSFHL) semifinal series.
The Vipers defeated the host Swift Current Fire Cats 3-1 on Sunday in Game 1 of the best-of-three series. Caydence Champman scored 5:53 into the first period to give the Vipers an early lead, and Hannah Terrett scored what proved to be the winning goal just over six minutes later.
“In the first period, we had a slow start,” said coach Chris Terrett. “In the first five minutes, they had two breakaways, and we didn’t even have a shot. And then in the last 15 minutes of the first, I’d say we had control, more or less, for 14 of the last 15 minutes.”
Jacey Farr’s goal with 7:07 to play in the middle frame gave Estevan a 3-0 lead.
Swift Current scored in the third to dash the shutout bid for Chloe Sorenson.
Chris Terrett believes they were better in the second period than in the first period, and then in the third, they had a strong defensive game that limited the Fire Cats’ chances until the last couple of minutes.
Game 2 will be Saturday at the Civic Auditorium at 7 p.m. Game 3, if necessary, would be the following day at noon, also at the Civic.
The Vipers are also battling for the right to advance to the provincial final. They will face Melville in the south final. Game 1 was slated for March 7 in Melville (results not available at press time), with Game 2 in Estevan the following night at 7 p.m. at the Civic Auditorium.
Terrett expects Melville will have a strong team for the series.
“I don’t know what to expect from them,” said Terrett. “With provincials, you’re allowed to pick up from the surrounding area a little bit. We never did. We’re going with our team that we’ve had all year.”
