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CSSHL Championships Recap
Shawnigan’s U18 Prep girls’ ice hockey team made it back to their national championship final last month, and while they ultimately fell just short of the title, head coach Ms. Carly Haggard was thrilled with the result, and even more importantly, her team’s performance.
“The girls came together and peaked at the right time,” Ms. Haggard said.
After opening the tournament in Penticton, BC with a 6-2 victory over Delta Hockey Academy Black, Shawnigan earned a 5-2 upset win over Delta Green, the second-ranked team going into the championships, behind two goals from Meera S. and 20 saves from goalie Alex N. Shawnigan closed out the round robin with a 6-3 victory over Okanagan Hockey Academy, then prevailed over Edge School 4-0 in the semifinal thanks to a 15-save shutout by Alex.
The final was a rematch against the defending champions from Rink Hockey Academy Kelowna, who beat Shawnigan 5-1 this time around despite a 31-save performance from Alex.
There were a lot of mixed emotions after the final, Ms. Haggard said, but everyone was proud of what they accomplished.
“There was a combination of happiness that we did this together and sadness that it was over,” she commented. “For me as a coach, there was such a sense of pride. Every single person stepped up. You hear it all the time, but this group left it all on the ice and did what it took to get to the championship game.”
National U18 team member Morgan J. led the tournament with seven goals, and finished second with 13 points. Zoe B. cracked the top 10 in points with eight. Those two were among nine Grade 12 players on the team who rose to the occasion and led the way for the squad all year long.
“This group has been amazing,” Ms. Haggard said of the Grade 12s. “They’ve been an outstanding group that has elevated our program to the next level.”
The U18 Prep boys’ team went 2-1 in round-robin play, but did not advance to the playoffs of their tournament. They defeated Delta 5-2 and Calgary International Hockey Academy 7-3, with their lone loss coming at the hands of the Edge School, who went on to win their second consecutive CSSHL title.
Eli M. led Shawnigan with seven points (four goals and three assists) over three games, while Matthew J., Josh P. and Brendyn V. each had six points.
The U17 Prep boys’ team reached the final of the Tier III tournament, ultimately falling 6-3 to Burnaby Winter Club White. Shawnigan was dominant in the round robin, beating the North Shore Warriors Orange 11-3 and Pacific Coast Hockey Academy 9-0 on a 22-save shutout by Will S., then getting past the North Shore Warriors 7-5 in the semifinal.
McAllister M., who scored three goals in 33 games all season, had five goals and two assists in the opener against NSW Orange and finished with 12 points in four games, the third-best point total in the tournament. Nigel A. was the top scorer in the Tier III tournament with 13 points (eight goals and five assists), and Cole M. also cracked the top five with 11 points.
The U15 Prep boys’ team went 1-2 in their consolation tournament, losing their first two games before closing out with a 9-8 victory over Delta Black. Darwin K. compiled two goals and four assists, Charlie K. had a goal and four assists, and Carson P. finished with four goals.
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Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
