Through their first three games at the Candian Womens’ Under-18 Hockey Championship, Team Saskatchewan has shown they’re right in the thick of things.
And if it all plays out like they hope, a trio of Moose Jaw and area players could find themselves coming home with medals from the eight-team event currently underway in Dawson Creek, B.C.
Defenceman Brooklyn Nimegeers, forward Ashley Breitkreuz and goaltender Schay Camphaug are all in action with Team Sask at the event, which began Sunday and continues through the gold medal game on Saturday afternoon.
Both Breitkreuz and Nimegeers are playing their final season with the Regina Rebels in the Sask Female AAA Hockey League this season, while Camphaug is in her final campaign with the Notre Dame Hounds.
Nimegeers has a single assist on her ledger through their three preliminary round games, while Breitkreuz is seeking her first point. Camphaug has started a pair of contests and has looked solid, posting a 2.02 goals against average and .922 save percentage in those two outings.
Team Sask opened the tournament on Sunday and took a 6-3 win over Atlantic, scoring three goals in the third period to secure the victory. Camphaug started the opener and stopped 24 shots to earn the win.
Things were far closer 24 hours later, with Quebec scoring a pair of third-period goals to overcome a 3-1 deficit before picking up the 4-3 win 3:09 into overtime.
Nimegeers picked up an assist on Saskatchewan’s third goal at 5:02 of the second period, with Berlin Lolacher -- the younger sister of Moose Jaw Warriors forward Harper Lolacher -- picking up the marker.
Camphaug enjoyed her best game of the tournament on Tuesday night, as she stopped 23 shots and gave her team every chance to win, only to drop a 1-0 decision to Alberta in their final game of the round robin.
Alberta scored the only goal of the game with 3:51 to play in the second period. Taya Christie stopped all 28 shots she faced to earn the win.
Things don’t get any easier for Saskatchewan in their quarter-final on Thursday night, as they’ll take on the tournament host Team B.C. at 9:30 p.m. Moose Jaw time.
Both Nimegeers and Breitkreuz are off to great starts with Regina this season, with Nimegeers the top-scoring defenceman in the league with three goals and nine points in six games to also sit seventh overall in league scoring. Breitkreuz is right behind her with five goals and eight points in eight games and is eighth in SFAAAHL scoring.
Camphaug has played a pair of games for Notre Dame and has a 3.00 goals against average and .926 save percentage.
You can follow along with all the scores from the Canadian Women’s U18 Championship on www.hockeycanada.ca.
