Silver linings for Manitoba girls at NAHC

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This article was published 16/05/2023 (1052 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It wasn’t the final result they wanted.

However, a silver-medal showing on home ice is something that Manitoba’s female hockey team will remember for years to come from the 2023 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in Winnipeg.

“We really worked well together as a group and we played some really good hockey, especially during the playoffs,” said forward Sophia Anderson, who calls Glenboro home.

“There was a lot of positive feedback as the girls came off the ice and they were saying that this was some of the most fun they’ve had playing hockey. When you are enjoying yourself out there … I think it transfers into the game.”

The defending tournament champions had gone 4-0 in preliminary round play and beat Alberta 4-1 to earn a spot in the final against Ontario.

Their repeat bid ended on a sour note as Sydney Sawyer scored with 40 seconds to go in the third period to give Ontario a 2-1 win on Saturday at the Seven Oaks Arena.

Forward and Brandonite Breigh Rank said while it wasn’t the ending they had in mind, the team’s performance was something that she’ll remember for a long time.

“All of us had either played with each other during the regular season or in previous years, so we kind of knew what we could do together,” Rank added.

Anderson (Westman Wildcats) and Rank (Rink Hockey Academy Winnipeg) were both returning from last year’s team that won a gold medal in Membertou, N.S.

Elkhorn’s Kirby Gray (Yellowhead Chiefs) was making her first appearance at the tournament, while Chiefs goaltender and Kenton product Natalie Rampton was named as an alternate.

“I wasn’t sure what it would be like to be away from home and my family for a little over a week, but the experience was amazing and I wouldn’t have changed a thing about said,” said Gray, who joined Anderson and Rank in Manitoba’s forward group.

“It was a great team with an awesome group of girls and it was pretty amazing to have a lot of my old friends from when our family lived near Winnipeg to come out and support us.”

Gray led the Westman contingent on offence with five points, while Anderson and Rank had three points each.

Anderson — who was an alternate captain for Manitoba — was forced to the sidelines after the second preliminary-round game against Alberta when she suffered a right shoulder injury with just two minutes to go in the third period.

“I collided with another girl along the boards and I kind of knew right away that something was wrong with my shoulder,” Anderson said. “It’s still a little sore and uncomfortable, but it’s getting better every day.”

While she had to watch the rest of the tournament in the stands, she got to experience all of the support that the fans gave to Manitoba.

“There was some extra motivation with everyone cheering and it was pretty uplifting to be honest,” Anderson said.

“It wasn’t just at the rink. We were getting messages from people that were watching on the live streams and we could feel the words of encouragement from all over the province.”

This was Anderson’s second and final trip to the tournament, which is for players that play at the under-18 level.

She will be moving up to U Sports next season with the Manitoba Bisons.

“If I had any advice for girls who wanted to play at this event, it would be to just appreciate the moment,” Anderson said.

“You get to meet new people and experience new things during the week and it’s a real honour to share the same culture and background as everyone else who is at the tournament.”

Rank and Gray are both eligible to compete at the 2024 NAHC in Grande Prairie, Alta.

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