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Yet another Kelowna team claimed a gold medal over the weekend, as the U19 Kelowna Heat beat out the Cochrane Rockies, in the 29th annual Sweetheart Tournament.
Although the Rockies were first to make it on the board, Kelowna’s Bianca Panagos (with assists to Marley Pickrell and Jessye Large) and Brenna O’Flynn (unassisted) were quick to respond and one-up their competitors.
A one goal lead heading into the second and final period of play required strategy as well as a strong defensive effort from the players.
“Everyone was very tired going into today, so we did a lot of quick shifts, deep breaths, playing slow and smart — playing our game.” said Caitlin Pineau, Assistant Coach.
“We’ve battled this team before so we know how they play and we used that to our advantage,” added Pineau.
With a fierce visiting team, the second period saw a lot of digging, fast skating and quick maneuvers in an attempt by the Rockies to reclaim the board.
As the end of the game drew near, Kelowna’s Jessye Large (assisted by Brianna Panagos) rocketed the ring into the net one final time, giving Kelowna some breathing room with a 3-1 lead.
“It is always exciting, when you get an insurance goal and the team goes wild, it is a good feeling — a good moment,” said Pineau.
But the Rockies would not go quietly, Grace Olson managed to breakaway from the pack and score her second goal of the game to shave the lead to 3-2 with 2:44 to go.
The remaining time was tense with as the Rockies pressed for the tying goal, but the buzzer would sound giving Kelowna the 3-2 win and the championship banner for the U19A club.
Large factored into two of the three Kelowna goals with the eventual game winner and the assist on the first goal. Large is no stranger to the Sweetheart banners winning the last two years in the U16A division.
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