The Campbell River Peewee Hurricanes were the talk of the year, having one of the best seasons of any peewee female team on the Island.
The girls finished up their season bringing home silver medals at the Richmond Ravens’ Ice Classic Tournament, the largest female tournament in Western North America, and this year marking its 20th Anniversary. The Hurricanes, who brought home the gold last year from this tournament, decided to challenge themselves this year by moving up a tier, after also winning the league banner in their regular VIAHA female league season with nine wins, one loss and two ties.
On Friday, March 24 at the Raven’s Ice Classic Tournament, game one took place against Yukon. The Hurricanes went on to a 7-3 victory. MVP going to Goalie Paulina Locker.
Later that evening, the girls would play their second game facing the Richmond Ravens who were a C1 team.
The Ravens lit up the scoreboard first, six minutes in, putting the pressure on the Hurricanes. One minute after, defenseman Asha Jhawer would slap shot the Hurricanes’ first goal, from the point, to tie it back up, with double assists from Shea Watson from Mikyla Danielson.
The tie breaker battle continued, until the Ravens scored their second goal with three minutes left in the second. With many shots from both teams, during a continuous tight battle, Paulina Locker kept the Hurricanes in the fight during the third.
With less than a couple minutes remaining, the Hurricanes pulled Locker out of the net, and managed to keep the puck in the Raven’s zone firing multiple shots, but couldn’t find their luck to sink any, ending with a 2-1 loss. MVP going to center and assistant captain, Morgan Taylor.
On Saturday the 25th, the Hurricanes faced Island Rivals the Cowichan Capitals. Kaydence Harris would be the first goal maker of game 3, in period one. With strong defense by Brooke Desmet and Shea Watson’s clearing of the zone, the Capitals could not get their revenge until period two. The tie continued until period three when Alexandria Uzzell-Paulos would wrist shot the tie breaker goal in, with a helper from Mikyla Danielson. MVP going to defenseman Brooke Desmet.
Sunday morningon the 26th, the Hurricanes all set to play their fourth Round Robin game, and received news that they had earned their spot in the finals, without game four being a determinant.
However, the team still went for the win and faced Meadow Ridge, another C1 team. The Hurricanes’ first goal of the game was potted in the first by forward Raci Frumento.
With great back-checking and offensive play by Mikyla Danielson and Callee Stromme, as well as the exceptional help of defensemen Sadie Fast and Asha Jhawer keeping the puck in the offensive zone, Meadow Ridge couldn’t even buy a goal in the first.
Early in the second, Frumento would next assist Morgan Taylor for another goal. Meadow Ridge found their answer soon after, with the Hurricanes ending the second period with a one goal advantage. In the third the Hurricanes faced some pressure and with 5 minutes to go Meadow Ridge tied it up. However, one minute later, Faith Barton would get her first goal of the tourney with a nice One-Timer assisted by Taylor. MVP going to Center and Captain, Mikyla Danielson. After a break between games, the peewee Hurricanes faced once more the Richmond Ravens C1 team for the Gold Medal Game.
With the luck of the draw and to the Raven’s advantage with that being their only game of the day, the Hurricanes fought a hard battle, but couldn’t find the back of the Raven’s net, ending with a 3- 0 loss. Still, they’re proud of their silver and what will always be memorable is coming over as the Island league season champs who faced the Mainland C1 champs, Richmond, and finished second.