DAWSON CREEK -- Ontario Red has won its sixth-consecutive gold medal at the National Women’s Under-18 Championship.
They defeated Quebec 3-2 in overtime at the Ovintiv Events Centre in Dawson Creek on Saturday night. According to Hockey Canada, Ontario Red has captured gold in 13 of the 14 national championships since the inaugural tournament in 2001, while Quebec earned its eighth silver medal and first since 2016.
Mackenzie Alexander scored the golden goal, just 25 seconds into overtime. “I was just lucky enough to be right there to tap it in. We are such a tight-knit group, so to win gold with these girls is such an honour. This is an absolute dream come true.”
“[Heading into overtime] I went in right away and told the girls we are winning this, we have this,” says Ontario Red Head Coach Joe Butkevich. “[This experience] has been phenomenal, from the host committee to the volunteers. It is a small-town community with a great feel; everyone wanted to put Dawson Creek on the map, and they did that this week.”
In the Bronze medal game, British Columbia took down Alberta to win. British Columbia earned its third bronze medal in the last four national championships, winning 3-1. Chloe Primerano and Hannah Dods scored for the hosts in the second period. Danica Maynard scored the last goal in the final five minutes to secure the bronze for B.C. on home ice.
“This has been really fun getting to bond with my new teammates, everyone has been so positive. The little things all added up; we worked together, bonded and came through today,” British Columbia Captain Gracie Graham said. “It was amazing to have all our fans out there watching us, you do not always get that experience. It was a great time.”
It is the fourth bronze medal for B.C. at the national championship and the first since 2017.
