2015 National Women's Under-18 Championship

OSWALD, HOUSTON GIVE MANITOBA SHOOTOUT WIN

WENDY GRAVES

HUNTSVILLE, ONT. – Sheridan Oswald (MacGregor, Man./Central Plains, MFMHL) and Ryleigh Houston (Winnipeg, Man./Balmoral Hall, JWHL) scored in the shootout as Manitoba overcame a strong goaltending performance by Jasey Rae Book (Loreburn, Sask./Swift Current, SFMAAAHL) to defeat Saskatchewan Wednesday afternoon at the 2015 National Women’s Under-18 Championship.

Shooting first, Oswald went left then right on the forehand, before slipping the puck low glove side on Book. Houston, the team’s third shooter, iced it by going five-hole.

Goalie Tory Micklash (East St. Paul, Man./St. Mary’s Academy, CAHS) stopped 16 shots in regulation and both Nara Elia (Saskatoon, Sask./Notre Dame, JWHL) and Sophie Shirley (Saskatoon, Sask./Notre Dame, JWHL) in the shootout to pick up the win.

Oswald had Manitoba’s only goal in regulation.

Shirley had the lone marker for Saskatchewan. Sydney Hill (Redvers, Sask./Warner School, JWHL) and Brooke Hobson (Prince Albert, Sask./Prince Albert, SFMAAAHL) picked up the assists.

Manitoba dictated play most of the day, outshooting its Prairie counterpart more than two to one, 36-17. But Book stood tall for Saskatchewan, especially when turning aside a one-timer from Kayla Friesen (Winnipeg, Man./St. Mary’s Academy, CAHS) in the second period. Two minutes later Megan Neduzak (Morden, Man./Pembina Valley, MFMHL) tipped a centering pass, but Book juggled, then contained the puck.

After playing most of the game on its heels, Saskatchewan was given the chance to go on the offensive midway through the third with 1:01 of five-on-three time, thanks to minors on Oswald and Holly Reuther (Winnipeg, Man./St. Mary’s Academy, CAHS).

It took only five seconds to capitalize. Shirley was given space to walk out from the corner and rip a wrist shot from the face-off circle that beat Micklash high short side.

With Oswald back on the ice – and Kayla Kirwan (Gull Lake, Sask./Swift Current, SFMAAAHL) now in the box – Manitoba used all of 11 seconds of four-on-four to equalize. Taylor Wabick’s (Winnipeg, Man./Shaftesbury Academy, CAHS) point shot was stopped, but the bouncing puck eluded Book. Oswald atoned for her earlier tripping penalty by putting the loose puck between the goalie’s legs.

Manitoba is back on the ice Thursday afternoon (1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. PT) to take on Quebec, while Saskatchewan looks to get in the win column later in the day against Ontario Red (4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT).