FAIRBANKS, ALASKA
Yukon’s female hockey team will attempt to make it two bronzes in a row for the territory at the Arctic Winter Games.
The Yukon squad will play for third after a 3-1 semifinal loss to Team Alberta on Thursday.
The fact that Yukon lost 6-0 to Alberta North on Wednesday seemingly made the loss less unexpected and easier to swallow.
“It was a real improvement from the last game, we brought our game up,” said Yukon head coach Louis Bouchard. “Of course in our last game we had played two in the day. But from yesterday to today it was a 100 per cent improvement.
“I know the shots on net are lopsided, but I’m proud of the girls. They worked hard every shift. Our third line got the goal.”
Yukon goalie Abigail Turner stopped 40 of 43 shots sent her way while her team only delivered 13 to the Alberta’s netminder.
Yukon evaded the shutout on a goal from Yukon’s Mykhaila McInroy. The winger put her team on the board when an Alberta defender lost her footing and coughed up the puck in front of the Alberta net and McInroy seized the opportunity for an unassisted goal.
“I’m very proud of how our girls played today,” said McInroy. “We played way better than we did yesterday. Despite the score, I know we played great.
“I think we just believed in ourselves more - I know it sounds sappy. We came together as a team more.”
Yukon, who finished third in the pool of five teams in the round-robin with a 2-2 record, will play Team Northwest Territories for bronze on Friday. Yukon defeated N.W.T. 2-1 on Tuesday with goals from captain Chyanne Spenner and defenceman Tamara Greek.
Alberta North will take on Team Alaska for the gold on Friday.
Contact Tom Patrick at
tomp@yukon-news.com