Two days after seeing their dream of claiming this system’s first-ever Esso Cup title dashed, the Saskatoon AAA Stars are battling a wave of feelings.
Gamers and training workers are grappling with the truth that they got here so near reaching the aim they set at the beginning of the 12 months, comforted by the information that they left each ounce of sweat on the ice in Lloydminster.
“Clearly, we wished a gold medal,” mentioned Stars head coach Alana Serhan. “It really is what we talked about because the begin of our season, one thing that we mirrored on lots. On the finish of the day, being ranked second within the nation for our group – it does actually showcase the expertise that we had.”
The Stars fell to the Edmonton Junior Oilers 7-3 on Saturday within the gold medal recreation of the 2025 Esso Cup, that means the Saskatoon group would return dwelling with silver medals round their necks.
Stars captain and graduating ahead Maggie Freeman mentioned the group felt a combination of disappointment and gratitude leaving the ice for the ultimate time as a gaggle over the weekend.
“There was a number of feelings flying within the final day,” mentioned Freeman. “A whole lot of, ‘Oh, that is our final time collectively.’ However we at all times simply attempt to maintain it gentle, maintain it about ending arduous. It doesn’t matter what occurs, no less than we obtained right here.”
Saskatoon’s crowning second of the event got here within the semi-finals on Friday in opposition to the North York Storm from Ontario, with ahead Mikayla Broadfoot scoring her second aim of the sport with simply 5:34 remaining in regulation to place the Stars forward 3-2. They held the rating to the top, and the Stars secured their spot within the gold medal recreation.
“I used to be simply approaching the ice and I had absolute chills,” mentioned Freeman. “I instructed [Broadfoot], ‘You simply gave me chills.’ It was loopy, I used to be so completely happy for her as a result of she had two that recreation and it was completely unreal. Within the second you don’t actually understand that it’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, we’re going to a gold medal recreation.’ After you replicate again on it, it’s actually extraordinary.”
Saskatoon would get targets from Halle Duchene, Ayla Anderson and Avery Barry within the gold medal recreation in opposition to Edmonton, whereas Tarynn Sutter and Adriana Bashnick break up the web, combining for 26 saves on 33 photographs in opposition to.
To even make it to the nationwide championship recreation the Stars needed to overcome a number of must-win video games together with a winner-take-all Recreation 3 of the Saskatchewan Feminine U18 AAA League finals in opposition to the Battlefords Sharks, two elimination video games in Esso Cup West Regionals versus the Eastman Selects and their semi-final victory over North York.
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Serhan mentioned these video games showcased the group’s resiliency all through the 2024-25 season.
“Being backs in opposition to the wall in elimination video games, I feel it simply actually speaks to among the sturdy personalities that we had in our dressing room that propelled us by means of these moments.”
Whereas the Stars had been unable to win the one trophy that has eluded this system, they had been capable of equal their finest consequence ever on the Esso Cup from 2018 when additionally they took dwelling a silver medal.
Freeman mentioned she feels a large amount of pleasure in what her group has achieved this spring, a sense which she expects will develop because the years go on.
“It’s a much bigger deal than I feel a number of us assume,” mentioned Freeman. “Particularly for our first-years, I’m actually glad they obtained to expertise it in order that they know what it takes for his or her coming years. It’s insane that we made historical past and that individuals will look again on this being like, ‘Wow, we wish to be similar to that.’”
The silver medal caps off a historic weekend for U18 AAA hockey groups within the province, with the Regina Pat Canadians and 15-year-old phenom Maddox Schultz successful the 2025 Telus Cup in Chilliwack, B.C. on Sunday.
Set to return subsequent 12 months with the vast majority of their roster intact, the Stars add they’re assured the expertise gained in Lloydminster will repay when the 2025-26 season rolls round.
“The hockey, the calibre of competitors at that degree, it’s unimaginable to see the feminine recreation at this excessive degree,” mentioned Serhan. “To be part of it with our squad was a number of enjoyable.”
Main the group in scoring throughout the common season, Duchene was named the Esso Cup’s prime ahead with six targets and 12 factors in seven video games.
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