LAKELAND – Although the Battle River Knights U18 female team may have defeated the St. Paul Canadiens in league finals, when the teams met again at the provincial championship, the Canadiens made sure it didn’t happen again.
Throughout the hockey season, the two teams dominated the East Central Alberta Female Hockey League (ECAFHL). Both teams capped off the regular season with 18 wins, zero losses, and two ties - against each other.
The Canadiens and the Knights would continue to win their playoff games, before facing off against each other in the league finals to decide who would take home the crown.
Ultimately, it was the Knights who prevailed after defeating the Canadiens in Game 3 on March 8, marking the end of the ECAFHL season.
But that wasn’t the end of the road for the Canadiens, and the team qualified as a wild card for provincials.
Wild card
This year, the Hockey Alberta Provincial U18 Female A Championships invited the two top hockey teams from the ECAFHL, the Rocky Mountain Female Hockey League (RMFHL), the Girls Hockey Calgary (GHC), and the Edmonton Federation Hockey League (EFHL).
Each of the eight teams who attended provincials were capable of winning the provincial banner, said Cody Machney, head coach of the St. Paul Canadiens.
"I know we're a strong team. I know when [the Canadiens] compete, they're very fierce competitors. So, I was confident that we would do well,” he said, but he did not dare underestimate the other teams.
“I was interested to see how that would all shape up,” said Machney, admitting, however, that the Knights remained the biggest threat for the Canadiens.
Provincials
The provincial championship was hosted by the Red Deer Chiefs in Delburne from March 20 to 23. The eight teams were divided into two pools for a series of round robin games.
The Knights did well and were undefeated in round robin play – but so were the Canadiens.
When the two teams faced each other again during the gold medal game, both had four wins and no losses under their belt.
Final game
Machney said the game mirrored the games the two rivals played earlier in the season. “It’s always been a tight match,” he said.
During the first period, the Knights’ Emma Galletly scored the first goal, and the Canadiens were unable to respond.
While the Canadiens tried to even the scoreboard during the second period, the Knights’ defenses proved strong.
But any attempts by the Knights to score were also halted by the Canadiens.
It was not until four minutes remained on the clock that the Canadiens’ Addison Graling found the net, recalled Machney.
“The bench just erupted with screams and cheers,” he said. “The crowd and everyone just went crazy.”
During the third period, “We battled back and forth. Nobody scored and we were still tied,” said Machney.
Even when the clock buzzed, the teams remained locked 1-1, forcing overtime.
Overtime
Both teams were in a precarious position, and everyone was getting tired. It had been a long weekend, according to Machney. The team’s offense “relentlessly pressured the other team every moment they could,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Canadiens only had four defense players, “[who] competed hard for 30 minutes each per game in five games over three days,” added the coach. “Four defence all weekend. That’s all we had.”
The Canadiens also only had one goalie, Ava Wilson, who blocked 135 of 137 shots during the weekend. “Try to find that statistic in the NHL and you won't,” said Machney.
Despite the fatigue setting in, Machney praised both teams for not giving up. “Nobody quit and they just gave everything they had.”
A tense back and forth lasted until the final minute, he recalled. But with less than a minute left, what happened next “was absolutely amazing,” said Machney.
The Canadiens’ Hayden Feland passed the puck to Brooklyn Deschamps, who raced toward the Knights’ goal and found the net with a backhand shot.
This sealed the Canadiens’ victory, claiming their second provincial championship in a row. In 2024, the Canadiens hosted provincials in St. Paul and took home the gold medals.
“It was unbelievable. Our whole bench erupted, ran out, and threw our gloves. It was quite an experience,” he said.
Expressing his pride for the team, Machney said, “The fact that they found the energy to keep going and pull off the win is testament to their character and who they are as athletes.”
To be able to keep composure under tons of pressure while already extremely exhausted is no easy feat, he said. “It’s remarkable.”
End of the season
It was a ride for the Canadiens, said Machney. “We had a great coaching staff this year."
“The culture we were able to build allowed the girls to get out of comfort zones, get vulnerable, work where they’re weak, overcome those weaknesses, and come together and celebrate in those victories,” he said.
From the people who watched the tournament online, to those who drove all the way to Delburne, and everyone who cheered the team throughout the season, Machney thanked them all.
“It has been fantastic.”
Overall, including tournaments, the Canadiens secured 32 wins this season, with only three losses and four ties.
