DAY 1 RESULTS:

Durham West Lightning (Ontario) – 1
Harfangs du Triolet (Quebec) – 4

Mid-Isle Wildcats (Atlantic) – 0 
St. Albert Slash (Pacific) – 6

Pembina Valley Hawks (Host) – 2
Prince Albert Bears (West) – 1

The teams from the western side of the country took an early edge on the first day of the 2017 Esso Cup competition. Host Pembina Valley Hawks and the Pacific division winners St. Albert Slash came away with victories, while Durham West Lightning from Ontario was handed its first loss of the tournament by Harfangs Du Triolet. 

Triolet used the second intermission to their advantage as the Harfangs scored two third period goals from Jade Pomerleau-Daigle and Nelly Lapointe to seal their victory and look to continue their successful league and provincial run. 

The Slash came away with the biggest momentum push for the remainder of the tournament exploding in their first game with a 6-0 shutout over the Wildcats from P.E.I. 

It was no surprise that the Slash’s top two regular season scorers, Tyra Meropoulis and Madison Willan, finished the game with a combined five points on the day, while goaltender Camryn Drever kept all 23 shots from getting past her. 

Host Pembina was able to take advantage of home ice on opening night as they just edged out Prince Albert to end the Bears’ 14-game winning streak coming into the tournament. Forward Toni Conrad potted the game winner shortly after the Bears tied the game early in the second and the Valley Hawks were able to avoid disaster with two late penalty kills.

Tomorrow the Valley Hawks will try to slow down the Slash’s traction as they face off in the evening game, while the Wildcats will look to bounce back as they connect with the Harfangs. In the afternoon matchup, the Lightning and Bears  will both be looking to bounce back from their opening day loss.

Current Standings: 
St. Albert (Pacific) 1-0-0
Triolet (Quebec) 1-0-0
Pembina (Host) 1-0-0
Prince Albert (West) 0-1-0
Durham West (Ontario) 0-1-0
Mid-Isle (Atlantic) 0-1-0