BRIDGEWATER, N.S. – The St. Albert Slash became the first team in Esso Cup history to repeat as back-to-back champions, defeating the Saskatoon Stars 2-1 to win gold at Canada’s National Female Midget Championship.

“It was pretty amazing, nothing can beat it,” St. Albert Slash captain Tyra Meropoulis said of her feelings after the game. “Winning two in a row is unbelievable. It is such an amazing feeling.”

After suffering a 4-1 loss to the Stars in the preliminary round, the Slash rebounded in the championship game by opening the scoring with just under three minutes remaining in the first period. Late-period goals were the key to the team’s success, as St. Albert took a 2-0 lead with less than one minute remaining in the second period. The Stars cut the deficit in half 47 seconds into the third period, but could not find the back of net as time expired.

“They [St. Albert] did a great job. An absolutely great job,” said Greg Slobodzian, head coach of the Saskatoon Stars. “We haven’t been pressured like that in a long time. Our girls didn’t know how to handle it at the beginning, but I thought we answered really well in the third period. It could have went either way.

Meropoulis (Edson, Alta.) lead the Slash with one goal and one assist in the final, while veteran Madison Willan (Edmonton, Alta.) recorded the game-winning goal in the second period. Jayme Doyle (Calahoo, Alta.) also registered one assist in the game.

Goaltender Camryn Drever (Edmonton, Alta.) made 14 saves on her way to securing the win, while Mackenzie Butz (Sherwood Park, Alta.) earned player of the game honours for St. Albert.                                                

Pionnières de Lanaudière defeat Brampton Canadettes 2-1 to earn bronze

The 2018 Esso Cup top goaltender, Sarah Vanier (Saint-Gabriel-de-Brandon, Que.), earned her third win of the tournament as the Pionnières de Lanaudière rebounded from Friday’s semifinal loss to win bronze.

“It was a very tight game against a team that had beaten us in the preliminary round,” said Jonathan Larrivée, head coach of Lanaudière. “We knew that we could bounce back. Any time our team faces new challenges, we find a way to rise to the occasion, and we took advantage of our opportunities to win the bronze medal.”

The Pionnières suffered an 8-2 loss at the hands of the Canadettes in the preliminary round, a game that saw six different Canadettes skaters record at least one goal.

Mégane Quirion (Saint-Lin, Que.) and Ann Sophie Guay (Lachenaie, Que.) recorded goals for the Pionnières, while Vanier recorded 29 saves on 30 shots in bronze-medal game.

For more information on the 2018 Esso Cup, please visit HockeyCanada.ca/EssoCup or follow through social media on Facebook and Twitter.