Game On Magazine 2017 December 2017 | Page 82

U-18 TEAM MANITOBA’S FANTASTIC WEEK IN QUEBEC CITY BY DUSTIN STEWART Photos courtesy WHL and Hockey Manitoba 8 2 | G AME O N | N OVEM BER 2017 In October of 2017, Hockey Manitoba announced the roster for U-18 Team Manitoba, our provincial female team that would be competing at the U1-8 Women’s National Championship in Quebec City from Nov. 1-5. The 2017 roster included a mixture of new and returning players from all over Manitoba. U-18 Team Manitoba was comprised of 20 players, a group that included two goaltenders, 12 forwards and six defensemen. Highlighting this year’s roster were three returning players from 2016, Ashley McFadden (St. Mary’s Academy), Sarah Dennehy (St. Mary’s Academy) and Olivia Cvar (Balmoral Hall). The full roster breakdown included eleven (11) players from various Sport Schools and nine (9) players from the Manitoba Midget AAA league (MFM HL). Team Manitoba was led at the 2017 National Championship by Ashley McFadden (Captain), Sarah Dennehy (Assistant Captain), Alexi Cheveldayoff (Assistant Captain) and Julia McLennan (Assistant Captain). After arriving in La Belle Province, Team Manitoba began the 2017 Nationals with a tough assignment against a very skilled squad from Quebec. It was the feature Opening Ceremonies matchup and all eyes were on this game. After a back-and-forth first period with some tremendous goaltending at both ends, Team Quebec jumped out to a 1-0 lead but Team Manitoba immediately answered back with a rocket shot from Olivia Cvar to tie the game at 1-1. Despite a gritty effort, Team Manitoba eventually fell by a final score of 3-1 with Sarah Dennehy receiving the game star for Team Manitoba. In Game 2, Team Toba faced off against a very tough and smooth skating Team BC. After battling hard for two periods, Team BC was