Panthers Fall In Provincial Final To Saskatoon

For the second straight year, the Estevan Female Midget AA Powertech Panthers have come up just short of a provincial title.

The Panthers fell by a 3-1 score on Saturday afternoon to the Saskatoon Comet Legends in Game 2 of their two-game total point series. Saskatoon wins the series by a combined score of 7-5.

After a 4-4 tie in Game 1 in Saskatoon, the Panthers were in good shape coming back to Estevan and got Game 2 started on the right foot. With less than six minutes left in the first period, Marci LeBlanc scored to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead.

But before the intermission, Saskatoon would respond with a pair of goals to take a 2-1 lead over Estevan after the first period.

The two teams skated to a scoreless second period leading to a tense final frame, with the Panthers needing a goal to tie.

But less than five minutes into the 3rd period, Saskatoon extended their lead to 3-1.

Over the final 15 minutes, Estevan earned several high-quality scoring chances but were unable to inch any closer as Saskatoon's defence and goaltending held the fort until the final buzzer.

"Our good chances just didn't go into the net," expressed Coach Trevor Morrison following the defeat. "We missed the net a few times too but in a game like this where it's so tight, you need a little bit of luck. And I guess our luck just final ran out."

Despite the loss, and falling in the league semi-final to the eventual champions from Swift Current, Morrison is more than pleased with the season from the Panthers.

"We've got a lot of girls from out of town and there's enough travel in the league as it is," explained Morrsion. "There's a lot to playing AA hockey, but hats off to the girls because they put in the time, they get along well and we had a great season."

All but three players are eligible to return to the Panthers next season, as Michaella Matthies, Kamryn Friars and Ashton Magotiaux will be graduating this season.