LLOYDMINSTER -- The Saskatoon Stars couldn’t make an early lead stick on Wednesday night at the Esso Cup female U18 national hockey championship, and as a result they’ll now need a win in their final game to have a shot at the playoff round.
The host Lloydminster Steelers scored late in regulation to tie the game and then netted the winner early in overtime to take a 4-3 win over the Stars in the penultimate game of the round robin for both teams.
As a result, Saskatoon is now 1-1-2 in the six team tournament and alone in third place with five points, but three teams are right behind them in the standings at four points. That means they’ll need a victory over the Atlantic champion Eastern Stars on Thursday to have a shot at finishing in the top four and playing for a medal.
The loss to Lloydminster was especially tough in that it looked as if it was going to be smooth sailing for Saskatoon by the time the first period was even half over.
Ayla Anderson got things started for the Stars only 1:11 into the game before the Saskatoon power play went to work later in the period.
That led to Sadie Green making it 2-0 at 8:36 of the first before Claire Moorman made it a three-goal lead with their second goal on the man advantage with 10:52 gone in the frame.
Lloydminster got one back before the period was out, though, with Sadee Reinders scoring with 5:29 to play in the first.
Raevyn Neahr then scored the lone goal of the second period to get the Steelers back within one, and Saskatoon suddenly found themselves hanging on for dear life the remainder of regulation.
Unfortunately for the West champs, they’d be unable to hold off the hosts, as Jamie Hensch tied things up with 2:57 remaining in regulation. That eventually sent things to overtime, where Skylar Heinrichs would score 2:30 into the proceedings to secure the win for Lloydminster.
Tarynn Sutter finished with 25 saves for Saskatoon, while Harlee Houle had 31 stops for Lloyminster.
Moorman capped her night with two points.
Saskatoon plays their final round robin game against the Eastern Stars at 3 p.m. on Thursday.
The top four teams after the preliminary round advance to the semifinals on Friday, with the losers playing for bronze at 1 p.m. on Saturday, followed by the winners going for gold at 5 p.m.
You can follow along with all the scores at.
