The Wildcats And Chiefs

After yesterday's 3-2 win by the Northern Alberta X-Treme over the Winnipeg Ice, the playoff round was beginning to take form. Teams that had recorded a loss were still in the mix in a couple of pools, but even one-loss teams found out that the lone loss they suffered may keep them from playing in the semifinal games. Such was the case when the 2-1 Westman Wildcats met the the 1-2 Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs to determine placement, but both teams would finish off the podium. It doesn't mean we weren't treated to a good game, though, so let's check out this game!

Red Deer started the tournament in a tough spot against the Winnipeg Avros who defeated the Chiefs 5-1 before they bounced back on Friday morning with a 3-2 win over the Minnesota Ice Cougars. They'd lose to their provincial-rival Lloydminster Steelers later on Friday by a 3-0 score to finish up at 1-2 in the tournament.

The Westman Wildcats downed the Vancouver Island Seals on Thursday by a 6-3 score to open their tournament before falling to the Rocky Mountain Raiders by a 1-0 score on Friday morning. They'd bounce back nicely with a big 4-3 win over the St. Mary's Academy Flames, but it wasn't enough to push them into a semifinal position as Westman would finish the tournament's round-robin play at 2-1.

The Westman Wildcats should be proud of developing Natalie Williamson, Charly Lindberg, and Shaylee Scraba who will all join the Regina Cougars, and Jori Hansen-Young who will suit up for the Mount Royal Cougars. In ACHA news, Ashley Spence, Gillian Gervin, and Kristin Rink will all reunite as teammates for the Minot State University Beavers!

The Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs should be proud in seeing Aryn Chambers join the MacEwan Griffins, Kylie Perry sign with the Trinity Western Spartans, and Stephanie Keeper who joined the RSEQ's McGill Marlets! In ACHA news, Elizabeth Campbell and Hailey Hoogkamp join the Old College Broncos while Kyla Hansel, Julie Wagner, Jordyn McLaughlin, and Monica Bowtell all reunite as part of the Red Deer College Queens. In NCAA D-III news, Robyn Grant joins the Plymouth State University Panthers.

This game between Westman and Red Deer saw some good banter between myself and Alana Serhan, the current assistant coach for the Manitoba Bisons, who joined me as a colour analyst for this game. There are some moments of greatness in this game from a number of players, a ton of penalties as the game got close to the finish with one team being down, and a bit of a dichotomy in the efforts shown by these two teams for a 1:30pm game on a Saturday. That being said, Alana and I do our best to make this game fun! Enjoy this Saturday, February 1 matchup between the Westman Wildcats and the Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs from the 2020 Female World Sports School Challenge from the BellMTS Iceplex in Winnipeg!


Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!