Lecavalier, Alberta earn bronze

Times Reporter 

 

Strathmore’s Sarah Lecavalier, named to Team Alberta at the National Women’s U18 Championship, won bronze after defeating Team Quebec on Nov. 10, 6-5. It’s the province’s first ever medal in the tournament.

Eight teams represented different areas of Canada from Nov. 6-10 at the Markin MacPhail Centre; Alberta finished at the top of their pool with one regulation win and two overtime wins, against Manitoba, Ontario Red, and Saskatchewan.

“When we beat Ontario Red, it was probably the best feeling in the world, just because nobody really beats Ontario Red,” Lecavalier said, who plays for the Highwood Raiders in the Alberta Major Midget Female Hockey League. “They’re all Team Canada girls.”

Ontario Red eventually captured gold against Ontario Blue by a score of 8-1 on Nov. 10. Ontario teams (Blue and Red) have won gold every year since the tournament began in 2001.

“I think I did my best,” Lecavalier said; she netted one shorthanded goal in the tournament. “As an underage, I didn’t get as much ice time as I would have liked. I think I did what I could do in that time.”

Team Alberta’s only loss in the tournament was to Ontario Blue in the semifinals on Nov. 9. Alberta, falling behind, made it 2-1 in the third, however, Blue scored 45 seconds later to finish the game at 3-1.

“It was good, obviously we weren’t as good as we wanted to be. It’s tough with a long tournament like that. You really have to push yourself to the limit. Everyone was tired so that was a big factor,” Lecavalier said.

In the bronze game, Alberta initially had a 2-1 lead after the first period, but Quebec stormed back to take a 3-2 lead in the second. After regulation, with the game tied, Alberta’s Amy Boucher scored three minutes into overtime on the power play; the team was 4/10 with the man advantage, while Quebec could not capitalize on eight attempts.

“Quebec was big,” Lecavalier said. “They were tall, they were strong. Getting me off the puck was a bit easier for them than I would say, my league right now. I just have to learn that you have to put your body in when you drive the net – you have to be a lot quicker on your decisions.”

From Feb. 6-9 in 2014 the U18 team will be regrouping for the Alberta Winter Games in Banff and Canmore.

“I definitely look forward to it next year,” Lecavalier said.