The Regina Rebels defeated the Thompson-Okanagan Lakers 4-1 in semifinal action Friday at the Esso Cup in Vernon. (Hockey Canada photo)
Final on TSN

Championship final set for Esso Cup, host team plays for bronze

Apr 27, 2024 | 4:00 AM

The Regina Rebels will take on the North York Storm in the Esso Cup championship game Saturday in Vernon in a contest to be televised across Canada on TSN.

The gold medal match at Kal Tire Place (4 p.m.) will bring the six day Canadian women’s under 18 club hockey championship to a close.

The host team, the Thompson-Okanagan Lakers, will play the Edmonton Junior Oilers for the bronze medal at 12 p.m.

In Friday’s semifinals, North York, the Ontario region champions, upset the Juniors Oilers 4-1, getting a goal and one assist from Toronto’s Lily Paisley.

Storm forward Maren Capannelli of Toronto called it an amazing feeling.

“We had our ups and downs throughout this tournament for sure, but I think we always knew that if we played together and played to our strengths, we would be okay. Everyone was buzzing today—great energy on the bench and we did a great job not getting too high or too low,” Capannelli said.

The second semifinal saw the Rebels defeat the host Lakers 4-1 with Kadence Dansereau of Birch Hills, SK, collecting two assists.

Rebels defender Avery Gottselig of Regina is hoping for a better outcome than 2023 when the finished third at the Esso Cup in Prince Albert, Sask.

“We’re super excited. For all of us who lost in the semi-final last year, this is a shot at redemption. Right from day one, our goal was to get back to the dance and I think tonight, everyone was contributing and our goalie was good, we got some bounces and controlled the play,” Gottselig said.

Emma Deleurme of Kelowna scored the lone goal for the Lakers who have 3 wins and 3 losses.

Games on Friday, April 26:

North York Storm 4, Edmonton Jr. Oilers 1

  • Lily Paisley (Toronto, ON) powered the offence with a goal and an assist.
  • Sydney Bowness (Toronto, ON) had a pair of assists.
  • Jamie Sanford (Toronto, ON) made 16 saves for the victory.
  • The Storm finished 3-for-6 on the powerplay.
  • North York outshot Edmonton 29-17.

Regina Rebels 4, Thompson-Okanagan Lakers 1

  • Kadence Dansereau (Birch Hills, SK) led the way for Regina with a pair of assists.
  • Rayna Hennie (Weburn, SK), Stryker Zablocki (Prince Albert, SK), Ashley Breitkreuz (Moose Jaw, SK) and Berlin Lolacher (Pilot Butte, SK) scored the Rebel goals.
  • Hannah Tresek (Regina, SK) stopped 24 of 25 shots she faced for the win.
  • Regina outshot Thompson-Okanagan 38-25.

Next Games (Saturday, April 27):

Bronze – Edmonton Jr. Oilers vs. Thompson-Okanagan Lakers – 12 p.m. PT

Gold – Regina Rebels vs. North York Storm – 4 p.m. PT

The bronze medal game can be live streamed at HockeyCanada.ca.

TSN will broadcast the gold medal game on April 27 at 4 p.m. PT.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the 2024 Esso Cup, please visit HockeyCanada.ca.

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