2014 Women's National Championships Recap Saskatoon, SK

Not only was this the first time for the event to be held in the Province of Saskatchewan but also the first time we have had a Women's Team participate from the priarie Province.

For the 5th time in the last seven years we had two teams from Ontario at the top of the Women's Division. Vanier Mooseheads and Toronto Shamrocks finished the round robin respectively first and second garnring a bye into the semi finals while the BC Hawks, Alberta Rockies, NL United, Saskatchewan Wheaties and Manitoba Rage followed from third to eighth place.

The first quarter final match saw the Alberta Rockies defeat NL United 4-2 to advance to play Toronto Shamrocks in the semi final. The second quarter final had the newcomers Saskatchewan Wheaties pull off a last minute goal to defeat the veteran BC Hawks 1-0 and move on to the semi finals to face the number one Vanier Mooseheads.

In semi final action both Ontario teams stepped up once again versus their opponents and the Toronto Shamrocks defeated the Alberta Rockies 3-1 while Vanier Mooseheads easily handled the Saskatchewan Wheaties 5-0.

Championship Saturday started off with our Bronze Medal matchup between Alberta Rockies and Saskatchewan Wheaties. Shelby Davie scored the lone goal for Saskatchewan Wheaties to take a 1-0 lead to he locker room at the intermission. Danny Stone from Alberta tied the game with 4:45 remaining in the second period to send the game to overtime. Nothing was solved after the first ovetime period as the teams traded chances. Both goalatenders up for the challenges that faced them. With 5:48 remaining in the second ovetime Rhianna Kurio took advantage on the power play to send the Alberta Rockies bench into a frenzy with the heroic goal as the Alberta Rockies captured the Women's Bronze Medal.

The Championship game was once again an all Ontario affair with Vanier Mooseheads taking on the Toronto Shamrocks. The tournaments leading scorer Jamie Lee Ratray rippled the twine with 2:00 remaining in the first period to give Vanier a 1-0 lead after one period. It was only fitting that in the second period the Shamrocks phenom scorer Jamie Allen tied the game 1-1. The score remained that way to the end of regulation. With both teams trading chances early in overtime nothing was solved and it appeared we could be in for a lengthy match. It was Jessica O'Grady who scored the game winner with 3:32 left in the first OT to give Vanier the 2014 title of CBHA Women's National Champions.

Medals
Vanier Mooseheads - Gold Medal
Toronto Shamrocks - Silver Medal
Alberta Rockies - Bronze Medal

Awards
Top Scorer - Jamie Lee Ratray (Vanier Mooseheads)
Most Valuable Forward - Julie Allen (Toronto Shamrocks)
Most Valuable Defense - Lesley MacArthur (Vanier Mooseheads)
Most Valuable Goalie - Whitney Showler (Toronto Shamrocks)
Tournament MVP - Jamie Lee Ratray (Vanier Mooseheads)

All-Star Team
Goalie - Jenelle Stam (BC Hawks)
Defense - Kristen Cooze (NL United)
Defense - Tamara Pickford (Saskatchewan Wheaties)
Forward - Danny Stone (Alberta Rockies)
Forward - Jessie McCann (NL United)
Forward - Fannie Desforges (Vanier Mooseheads)