The midget AA Power Tech Bear Cats aren’t in a position to look back and admire their regular season: the playoffs are right under their noses.
The Bear Cats ended their South Saskatchewan Female Hockey League regular season with a 2-1 loss Saturday to the Swift Current Broncos, finishing the year in third place in the league. The game Saturday wouldn’t have any bearing on the final standings.
“I wanted the girls to put in a good effort because we knew (Friday) the girls would finish in third place,” said Bear Cats head coach Trevor Morrison. “(Saturday) was just kind of an exhibition game. There was nothing on the line. We were finishing third and Swift was finishing fourth. But I was happy with our effort.
Kayla Wanner’s eighth goal of the season was the only tally to get behind Swift Current’s Allison Wall in net.
“We were down a couple of girls so our bench was short and Swift Current is a good team,” Morrison said. “They beat us by one shot.”
The Bear Cats had a defender play at forward, but little was getting through a tight Bronco defence.
“Overall we played pretty good,” he said. “We played right till the end.”
Friday, they beat the Broncos 6-2. Marci LeBlanc scored four in the game, and Jaycee McLellan and Jasynn Montayne scored singles.
Third place is a good place for the Bear Cats, which early on weren’t sure if they’d be able to have a midget AA team.
“For the team to come together the way they have, they really get along well and they’re a great group of kids to coach, I’m very happy with third,” Morrision said. “You always look back and think maybe you should have had that one and finished a little higher but overall I’m happy with the season.”
The Bear Cats opened their playoffs Thursday in Melville’s Merv Moore Arena. The score was unavailable at press time. Their second game is scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m. in Arcola and if necessary, their third game will wait till Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Power Dodge Ice Centre.
