Their time in Tumbler seems to have done them good, as the U18 Women’s team finished third at the recent tournament in Dawson Creek, and Tumbler Ridge’s own Makena Lloyd Howe finished off the tournament with six points, including two goals.
Father Will Howe posted his thoughts on Facebook, saying he is beyond proud. “From watching her get the starting line-up and standing on the blue line singing to Oh Canada, to some nasty hits, to some crazy fast forecheck/backcheck/ paycheck. To winning the bronze medal with her wicked Team BC teammates…someone was cutting onions around us all game!”
He sends his thanks to all who have supported her in her path: “Family, friends, teammates, babysitters, coaches. Teachers, secretaries, Raptors super fans….”
Team BC started off strong, defeating Ontario Blue 4–2 on the opening day of the tournament, held at the Ovintiv Centre in Dawson Creek.
They won their second game on day 2, beating Manitoba 4–2. But on day 3, they faced the juggernaut that is Ontario Red, losing 6–4.
In the Quarter final match, they beat Saskatchewan 5–3, but lost to Quebec in their semi-final matchup 7–3, putting the team into a fight for third place.
In the Bronze medal game, British Columbia took down Alberta 3–1 to claim the medal. This is the team’s fourth bronze medal finish and their first since 2017.
Ontario Red, who handed BC its first loss, won the tournament, their sixth gold medal performance in a row, defeating the team from Quebec by a score of 3–2.
Ontario Red has dominated the tournament since it’s inception, winning 13 out of 14 national championships since the tournament was founded in 2001. Quebec has taken the silver eight times.
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
