Flyers Just Fall Short In Provincial Final
By Robert Thomas
LEROY, Saskatchewan
It was the fairytale ending not meant to be with more than a couple of people asking for the story to be rewritten as the Milestone Female U18 A Flyers fell just short in claiming the Provincial crown.
Playing before a large crowd in Leroy Sunday afternoon the visiting Flyers lost 3 - 2 to the East Central Fillies.
The Flyers are a regional squad made up of players from various communities including four players from the Moose Jaw Mavericks system who played their final game of amateur hockey on Sunday.
Sidney Ellingson jostles for position in front of the East Central Fillies goal - MJ Independent photo
The Flyers came out strong and were able to score the only goal of the First Period.
At the 18:04 mark Nikita Halyk scored assisted by Sidney Ellingson and Ember DuSomme.
Ember DuSomme (left) jostles with the Fillies Paige Haskey - MJ Independent photo
Despite heading into the dressing room with the lead for the first intermission the Flyers were pressured by the Fillies.
Heads up netminding by the Flyers goalie Kamrie Kaufmann though prevented the Fillies from getting on the scoreboard.
Flyers netminder Kamrie Kaufmann makes a goal line save in the First Period - MJ Independent photo
The Second Period saw the Fillies continuing their aggressive play which lead to their first goal.
The Fillies Hadley Braun scored at 12:56 assisted by Kaistyn Ehlert.
But despite the roars of the home crowd just after announcing the goal the Flyers would retake the lead.
Ember DuSomme would score an unassisted goal at the 12:08 mark which set off cheers from the large contingent of Flyers fans who made the trip to Leroy.
The Flyers Kalla Nicholas (left) chases the puck against the Fillies Nicole Hackl - MJ Independent photo
A major incident would then occur as aggressive checking by the Fillies would lead to the Flyers Nikita Halyk being slashed on the wrist.
The slash would see Halyk spend the majority of the middle frame recovering from an injury. No penalty was called on the play.
The Flyers Jada Donison attempts to score on the backhand after the puck squirted lose - MJ Independent photo
The Fillies would tie the game on a long shot by Nicole Hackl at the 6:55 mark in a shot through a maze of legs with Kaufmann noticeably not happy afterwards she was unable to see the shot.
Assists on the goal went to Jayda Braun and Ava Polietski.
The Flyers Nikita Halyk just misses on the short side - MJ Independent photo
The Third Period would see the Fillies continue their aggressive forecheck and it paid off when they would score the game winner.
The Fillies Meikka Elhert scored at the 9:38 mark assisted by Braun and Paige Haskey.
Kaufmann was heavily screened and unable to see the shot on the play.
Kaufmann made some key saves later in the final frame allowing the Flyers an opportunity to tie things up.
The Flyers Sidney Ellingson heads in to help out in her own end of the ice - MJ Independent photo
Despite the goal the Flyers continued to pressure the Fillies whose aggressive play lead to a series of penalties.
The Flyers were unable to counter the Fillies aggressive penalty kill and were unable to capitalize on numerous powerplay opportunities.
A nasty incident would occur when Halyk was boarded and left the game injured with a probable concussion.
The Fillies were penalized on the play.
Sidney Ellingson puts her stick low to the ice attempting to stop a centering pass - MJ Independent photo
The Fillies Ava Politeski attempts to corral the puck just inside the Flyers blue line - MJ Independent photo
With just over two minutes left in the game the Fillies found themselves penalized.
When play resumed the Flyers were able to pull netminder Kamrie Kaufmann in favour of a sixth attacker but were unable to tie the game.
The fairytale ending, which saw the Flyers on a nine game winning streak just prior to and during the playoffs, was not meant to be.
The East Central Fillies win the Saskatchewan Female Hockey League Championship - MJ Independent photo
EDITOR’S NOTE - I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Milestone Flyers for the opportunity to cover the team this year in what will I am sorry to say be my final season covering the Saskatchewan Female Hockey League.
It has been a great four years.
Good luck to everyone with your futures.