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REGINA — Greta Henderson’s power-play goal at 9:24 of overtime gave the Regina Rebels a 5-4 victory over the Winnipeg Ice in Game 2 of the Western Regional U18 AAA Female Hockey Final at the Co-operators Centre Saturday night.
With the win the Rebels, who beat Winnipeg 4-3 in double overtime on Friday, advanced to the Esso Cup U18 national championship, which will be held in Prince Albert, Sask., April 23-29.
For the Ice, Saturday’s Game 2 had a similar heartbreaking conclusion to the series opener.
Ava Bergman’s second goal of the game broke a 2-2 tie early in the third period and linemate Haley Braun added another marker with less than eight minutes left to give the visitors a 4-2 lead.
But Regina charged back, getting a goal from Stryker Zablocki, her second of the game, with 1:31 left and the tying marker from Berlin Lolacher with only 3.9 seconds left on the clock. That set the stage for Henderson’s overtime winner.
“This one’s gonna be a tough one to deal with,” said Ice head coach Eugene Kaminsky. “After (Friday’s) game, I was really upset about it because I didn’t feel we lost the way you should lose. This game we lost out of circumstances…
“We didn’t clear the zone when we needed to and we gave them an opportunity and they took advantage of it. On the tying goal, (Lolacher) threw the puck at the net and she found the one spot (there was an opening).”
On Friday, Winnipeg had a 3-1 lead in Friday’s Game 1 but surrendered a pair of power-play goals late in the third period before losing 4-3 in double overtime.
Stephanie Jacob also scored in Game 2 for the Ice, the Manitoba Female U18 AAA Hockey League champion.
“We were way better team today than we were Friday and I would venture to say we were the better team on the ice and in all facets,” said Kaminsky. “Without a doubt, we were the better team. They had some quality players but our full roster played. That was a thing and we’re so proud of these girls and what they are able to do.”
Ice goaltender Jordyn Nepinak-Sargent stopped 18 shots.
Hannah Tresek finished with 23 saves in the Regina net.
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