The U15A Pacific Coast Rep Classic (Oct. 25-27 in Richmond, B.C.) presented a chance for the Yukon Wild to once again join forces with their N.W.T. counterparts for another female tournament. This was a bit of a different beast as the team dipped their toes in a Rep A tournament for the first time as a group.

Going in, no one knew what to expect, given that through injuries and travel conflicts the team was sending a bit of a misfit crew of only 10 skaters and a goalie, icing six U13 players, four first-year U15’s and a single second-year U15.

We knew going in that this would be a battle as the teams we were playing were part of large programs and would consist of largely second-year veterans, but this team was ready for a challenge, and meeting up at the hotel for the first time since March, it was like they’d never been apart.

Game One

The Wild opened the tournament with a convincing 10-2 win over the Williams Lake squad. After getting scored on early, the team bounced back with a massive second period to seal the win. The scoring was spread throughout the team and Kasey “Moose” Mckenna was awarded the MVP for filling the net. Scarlet “Scar” Tourangeau received the Grinder award for continually putting her body in harm's way to make tough plays.

Game Two

This was where the girls' eyes were opened. Playing a historically tough organization in the Seattle Sno-Kings, the team was under water from the puck drop. The Sno-Kings were big, fast and experienced and pushed the girls to the limit in an eventual 11-0 decision.

The timing was perfect; previously, the Wild had never won by less than six goals and faced adversity for the first time.

Challenged in between the second and third periods, the squad responded by only allowing a single goal until a late goal that could probably be chalked up to the exhaustion of defending with only two lines.

Danica Johnson was awarded the MVP for her smart play and defensive efforts against some high-end forwards. Ella Johnston showed true grit and determination, never taking a shift off despite the game being out of hand.

Game Three

Still looking to figure out how to “start on time”, the Wild came up against the Oceanside Region U15 team. A slow start found the team down two in the first three minutes and had the team on their heels again. Regrouping, Tourangeau got the team back in the game late in the first period to make the score 2-1. In the second period, the Oceanside team tilted the ice and that, compounded with some bad bounces, led to a five-goal outburst.

Again regrouping in the intermission, the team came out looking to win a period and head into the consolation game on a good note. Digging deep, the group battled Oceanside to a 2-2 third period and held their own, generating chances and playing smart hockey in all three zones. Jersey Ashton had a breakout game, putting up a goal and assist and Kasey Mckenna added a tally as well.

Jersey Ashton was named MVP and Madison Parsons was awarded the Grinder for coming out in the third after a tough second and shutting the door.

This left the team in third place in the pool and earned them a chance to play for fifth on Sunday.

Game 4

The opponent for the final game was the team's closest rival, Northeast B.C., and the group was looking to make a statement and a claim to the north. Both teams were cautious for the first 10 minutes and in reality the Wild group was just happy to get through the first 10 unscathed. The teams traded goals and the first ended with Northeast up 3-2.

Finally feeling confident and finding their game, the Wild took over the game from that point on, scoring three goals in four minutes and the frame ended up with the Wild now up 6-4. In the third, the group did what had been done to them, exploding for another three goals in the opening minutes of the third. Firing on all cylinders now, the group opened the flood gates and the final was a decisive 12-4 victory.

The dynamic duo of Sophie Drummond and Kasey Mckenna were on fire, pumping in four goals and adding two apples each. Jersey Ashton also stayed hot, with two goals and two assists.

Sophie Drummond received the MVP and Maya Bulmer was given the Grinder, recognizing her play over the whole weekend where she was in the mix every game.

Overall, the weekend was another step for this motley crew of northern girls. It’s a cliché, but you have to learn to lose before you can learn to win and these ladies were put in tough situations: short bench, youngest team in the tourney, no practice time prior and yet still battled to a respectable fifth place finish. The two teams that beat them ended up in the final with the Sno-Kings only allowing two goals all weekend.

As the groups were saying their goodbyes, plans were already being made for the next tournament and maybe some cross-territorial border development camps.

For now, most of the girls will have to refocus, as they will soon be going head to head at the Arctic Winter Games and Canada Winter Games.

– Submitted by Dan Johnson