LLOYDMINSTER -- The Saskatoon Stars came up on the short end of a close battle at the Esso Cup female U18 AAA national championship on Tuesday afternoon.
The Stars scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period but couldn’t make the lead stick, eventually falling 4-3 in a shootout to the Pacific champion Edmonton Jr. Oilers in their third game at the tournament in Lloydminster.
As a result, the Stars have a 1-1-1 record and currently hold down second place in the six-team round robin, with two games remaining on their schedule.
Saskatoon didn’t get off to the greatest of starts, as Paige Smith opened scoring for Edmonton only 3:26 into the game.
Danelle Steffen got that one back for the Stars 3:21 later, but only 57 seconds after that goal Keira Grant scored for the Oilers to give Edmonton a 2-1 lead after the opening period.
Neither team were able to capitalize on a handful of penalties through the first half of the second frame, but the Stars would find the tying goal late when Kolbee Ashe scored her second goal of the tournament with 1:33 remaining in the period.
There things would stand until the 11:43 mark of the third when Halle Duchene scored her second goal and sixth point of the event with 8:17 remaining in regulation.
Saskatoon would be unable to hold off Edmonton as time ran down, though, and Parker Small would find the tying goal for the Oilers with 3:19 to play.
Overtime would solve nothing, with the shootout seeing the Oilers’ Small and Grant score while goaltender Taya Christie stopped all four Saskatoon shooters she faced.
Tarynn Sutter finished with 31 saves in goal for the Stars, Christie had 20 saves.
Shayla Koroll had two assists for Saskatoon.
The round robin continues for Saskatoon on Wednesday when they face the host Lloydminster Steelers at 7 p.m. followed by the Atlantic champion Eastern Stars at 3 p.m. 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.
