U15 A Mavericks Fall Short In Provincial Final
Despite loss Mavericks record big season in 2024 - 2025
Story and photos by Robert Thomas
The 2024 - 2025 season was a big one for the U15 A Moose Jaw Carpet One Mavericks.
The Mavericks recorded five major tournament wins, topped their division in the Saskatchewan Female Hockey League (SFHL) all season and on Saturday were one win away from the SFHL’s U15A provincial title.
Despite a valiant effort the Mavericks failed in a come from behind attempt losing game three in the best of three provincial final 5 - 4 to the visiting Western Prairie Thunderbolts.
The Mavericks got on the board at 10:21 of the First Period.
Kaylee Duzan scored from about six feet out sweeping the puck into the Thunderbolts goal.
Assists went to Jadee Costley and Maria Umana.
The Thunderbolts would tie the game up at 7:31 when Chloe Dean scored assisted by Taryn Permitsky and Ayla Sperle.
The Thunderbolts took the lead at 4:30 when Pernitsky scored assisted by Dean.
The Mavericks would tie the game up before the period ended when Maria Umana scored on the breakaway at 2:15.
Storey Grant and goaltender Blair Bennett would be credited with assists.
The Second Period saw a goal explosion by the Thunderbolts.
The Thunderbolts would wrack up a trio of goals at 15:17, 7:06 and 4:47 with no response from the Mavericks.
The Mavericks would make a goal tending change with Blair Bennett swapped out for the second half of the game with Charlotte McKee.
The game would seemingly go flat for several minutes with the Thunderbolts maintaining momentum.
The Third Period saw the Mavericks starting their comeback attempt when Maria Umana broke in and scored with a wrist shot at 6:36.
Assists went to Taya Babich and Willow Scott.
With approximately two minutes remaining the Mavericks pulled their goal tender for the sixth attacker.
With 11 seconds remaining in the game the Mavericks scored their fourth goal.
Madeline Hopkinson scored assisted by Umana and Duzan.
“Our team works really hard and today was one of those days when things were difficult for us and a lapse in the second period which hurt us.” Mavericks head coach Eric Campbell said.
“It was too big of a mountain for us to climb back up in the third (period),” he said.
Talk turned to the U15A teams of the past coached by Stephane Gauvin and how the 2024 - 2025 Mavericks managed to equal those team’s success.
The U15A Mavericks under Gauvin just fell short of claiming the provincial championship. But were unable to do so.
“We went and watched that final and we remember it. Part of Moose Jaw hockey is supporting one another. Being part of the wins and losses together. It stings a little bit because you want to do it for your friends and family and I remember that event back then,” Campbell said.
Season Accomplishments
Campbell said despite not capturing the provincial championship it has been a good season for the Mavericks.
“I don’t know if I’ve heard of anyone winning five tournaments in a season. Plus winning the south(ern championship)” he said, adding “you know they always say winning the last one is always the hardest to win.”
The Mavericks had a busy season.
“This year we came out and played as much hockey as we could. And our team played as well as you can. And you can’t ask for anything else…at the end of the day these girls played their hearts out,” Campbell said.
“Because we’re strong together we feel we can do anything.”
The Mavericks never came out as a Cinderella team this season. The team was always at the top of their division - South West Division - in the SFHL.
“It’s disappointing because you want success for all players. For all families. Because they put so much into it. But it doesn’t work that way. There is only one winner and it went to a best of three and it never went to us,” he said.
“You have to tip your hat and say congratulations to the other team. You’ll sting a little bit but that’s hockey.”
Campbell said he would like to thank the people who came out to watch the games as well as those who sponsored the team.
The organizers who set up hockey got a shoutout.
He spoke about Moose Jaw Carpet One’s sponsorship and the importance it has had on female hockey in the city.
“Without them a lot of the things we are able to do together won’t always happen without them. So thank you to thise kind of people who support us,”
The scoresheet