Shannon Coulter
We’re down to two in the Pacific Region.
The Fraser Valley Rush have returned to the regional series for the second year in a row and hope to go for gold again at the Esso Cup in Prince Albert after coming up one win short a year ago. Following a strong regular season, the Rush swept its way to the B.C. Elite Hockey League title and allowed only one goal in four games in the process.
In the Alberta Female Hockey League, the Red Deer Chiefs booked their ticket to the regionals with an excellent performance in the provincial tournament. Although they dropped their preliminary-round game against the Calgary Fire 5-1, the Chiefs bounced back in the final, erasing a 2-0 Calgary lead before Rylee McLeod scored the game-winner in the shootout for a thrilling 4-3 victory.
RECENT CHAMPIONS (ESSO CUP FINISH) 2022 – Fraser Valley Rush (silver medal) 2019 – St. Albert Slash (gold medal) 2018 – St. Albert Slash (gold medal) 2017 – St. Albert Slash (gold medal) 2016 – Rocky Mountain Raiders (bronze medal)
Fraser Valley Rush BCEHL CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 30-2-0 (1st in BCEHL) Goals for: 171 Goals against: 48 Leading scorer: Leah Barnard (26G 34A 60P)
Playoff record: 4-0 Goals for: 21 Goals against: 1 Leading scorer: Vienna Rubin (5G 4A 9P)
ROAD TO THE PACIFIC REGIONAL Semifinal: defeated Greater Vancouver Comets 2-0 (7-0, 4-0) Final: defeated Thompson-Okanagan Lakers 2-0 (5-1, 5-0)
Last national championship appearance: 2022 (silver medal) Total national championship appearances: 3 (2013, 2014, 2022)
Red Deer Chiefs AFHL CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 21-7-2 (3rd in AFHL) Goals for: 90 Goals against: 64 Leading scorer: Nadia Lavoie (12G 17A 29P)
Playoff record: 3-1 Goals for: 9 Goals against: 9 Leading scorer: Rylee Mcleod (3G 2A 5P)
ROAD TO THE PACIFIC REGIONAL Preliminary round: defeated St. Albert Slash 1-0; lost to Calgary Fire 5-1; defeated Edmonton Jr. Oilers 3-1 Final: defeated Calgary Fire 4-3 (SO)
Last national championship appearance: 2015 (silver medal) Total national championship appearances: 1 (2015)