Mavericks Force Game Three
Photos and story by Robert Thomas
Friday evening was do or die night for the U15 A Moose Jaw Carpet One Mavericks as they trailed the visiting Western Prairie Thunderbolts 1 - 0 in the best two out of three provincial championship final.
The Mavericks lost game one 2 - 1 to the Thunderbolts and on Friday evening Moose Jaw returned the favour.
The win pushes the series into game three tomorrow Saturday March 29th at 1 pm at the Barkman Arena in Caronport.
The First Period saw no scoring.
The Second Period saw the Mavericks get on the scoreboard at 15:38 when Taylor Hawkins took a pass out front from Maria Umana along the boards.
Hawkins’ right wing shot found the space beating the Thunderbolts net minder Ashlyn Brown over her blocker side shoulder.
An assist also went to Taya Babich.
The Mavericks celebration was short lived as the Thunderbolts Taryn Permitsky was able to jam a shot close in against the Mavericks net minder Blair Bennett at 13:48.
Assists went to Chloe Dean and Emersyn Brown.
The Mavericks retook the lead at 7:04 on arguably one of the biggest shots of the season by Kaylee Duzan.
Duzan took a pass from Jadee Costley about 20 - 25 feet to the right of Brown.
Duzan would wire a shot that somehow got over the left shoulder of the Thunderbolt’s goaltender.
The Third Period saw the Thunderbolts take three minor penalties in a row over the mid portion of the period.
The Mavericks were unable to capitalize and the danger grew the Thunderbolts would get back momentum and control of the game.
With five minutes left the game turned more defensive for the Mavericks as they protected their slim lead.
Mavericks goaltender Bennett would record a rapid series of saves with just over a minute left in regulation play as the Thunderbolts poured on the heat.
With 53 seconds left to go a timeout was called and the Thunderbolts pulled their goalie for the sixth attacker.
The game ended with the Thunderbolts looking for the equalizer.
Game Three goes tomorrow Saturday March 29th at 1 pm at the Barkman Arena in Caronport.
Admission is FREE.
The winner will be the 2025 U15 A Saskatchewan Female Hockey League champion.
The scoresheet