Another Incredible Weekend

Let me just say upfront that any weekend spent around the volunteers and staff at the Female World Sport School Challenge is one I wouldn't trade for anything. There's a reason why this tournament is circled on the calendars of a number of teams across western Canada, and it goes to the very heart and soul of the tournament in the volunteer staff, the junior hosts, and the great people behind the scenes doing everything they can to showcase the immense amount of talent on the ice. We were treated to amazing hockey again this weekend from all 16 teams, and we owe those people who put so much time into this tournament a healthy round of applause!

Before we get to posting the audio of the gold medal game, I'm going to recognize these amazing people once again because they are what makes this tournament so good. Make no mistake as we see some incredible hockey, but these are the people that make this tournament happen. Volunteers are the beating heart of this event, so I want to recognize these people.

We'll start with junior hosts who are female minor hockey players that work with the teams to get them anything they may need. These amazing young women keep water bottles filled, sticks on benches, snacks between periods and after games stocked, and anything else that the teams request. Frankly, these young ladies are buzzing around the arena complex so much that you'd think there are a hundred of them. Instead, there are a handful of junior hosts, and they make sure the teams that attend the Female World Sport School Challenge have everything they need. They are simply awesome!

The parents of the players who devote their time to the tournament to ensure its success also need to be recognized, and this goes for current, future, and past parents who log a ton of hours being in penalty boxes to open doors, selecting three stars for each game, preparing snacks for each team as needed, calculating and logging statistical information, updating scores, taking tickets, selling passes, and so much more. Everywhere you look, there's a volunteer helping someone or getting something ready for the next game, and it's a phenomenal sight to see each and every person doing their part to make this tournament a success. I kid you not: parents deserve way more credit than just me saying thanks, but these are the people who keep the machine oiled and running smoothly at the Female World Sport School Challenge.

The staff at St. Mary's Academy who come out and lend a hand at these events are part of the group in the previous paragraph, but there is on person whose infectuous personality makes us feel welcome at the event like we're part of the staff. I cannot say enough good things about Carol-Ann Swayzie who always brings the energy and laughter to the event when the long days have everyone moving a step slower. She's a joy to work with, an absolute pleasure to be around, and a gem of a person in all facets. I am blessed to know her, and I can't wait to work with her again.

Of course, Kathy and Larry Bumstead deserve their own paragraph because of their dedication to this tournament, their commitment to women's hockey at all levels, their spirit in providing the best tournament in western Canada for U18 girls' hockey (in this writer's opinion), and their unwavering positivity and smiles that instantly brighten your day no matter what's been happening.

Running a tournament of this magnitude is no easy feat, and Kathy is the commander of this tournament's volunteer army. We's likely need four or five people to replace her if and when she finally decides to move on, so may she always have eternal youth! Larry's commitment to girls' hockey and his passion for seeing not only his Flames players do well, but all players succeed, is why he's vital to this tournament because he cares so gosh-darn much. Together, these two make the Female World Sport School Challenge so successful as they instill in all of us their drive, passion, smiles, and positivity!

Clearly, I will have missed naming a bunch of amazing people, but just know that this hockey community that works in and around the Female World Sport School Challenge is the reason we are honoured to be part of the event every year. While we only hold a small piece of the puzzle in broadcasting the games, we feel like we're part of the St. Mary's family when we're at the tournament. We have all of you to thank for that, and we cannot express how grateful we are in being part of such a wonderful team!

Not to make this too long-winded, but I am here to chat a little about the gold medal final as we were witness to an incredible game between the MFHL's Winnipeg Avros and the BCEHL's Thompson-Okanagan Lakers. The Avros came in after winning three-straight games following an opening day loss while the Lakers were a perfect 4-0 through the tournament prior to the gold medal game. Would we see the gold medal stay in Winnipeg or could Thompson-Okanagan play a perfect 5-0 tournament in capturing their first gold medal in tournament history?

While a recap is usually what you'd find under the gameday matchup graphics, that's not going to happen here today. Instead, I'm posting this short passage to tell you to listen to the game below. The action was excellent in this game, and the ending to the game was intense and suspenseful as the final moments ticked off the clock.

I want to give thanks to Bryan Sveinson for his call on the game as he settled into the play-by-play role nicely after my voice went hoarse from the eight games called on Thurday and Friday, and I also want to give thanks to Jenna Thompson whose experience at the Female World Sport School Challenge as a player with St. Mary's combined with her play in the ACAC with MacEwan allows her to provide excellent insight into the game. These two are beauties on the mic!

Click the pop-out arrow to the left to stream the game with ads or intermissions features! If you'd like to download this game, click here to initiate the download! Enjoy the game compliments of UMFM!

If you want the recap, you can find that on this link while the scoring summary is here. Otherwise, enjoy the 90-minute, condensed version of the game as we removed ads and intermissions for your enjoyment above! Congratulations go out to all the teams for an amazing tournament, and we'll see you next year for the 2025 Female World Sport School Challenge from January 30 through February 2!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!