Neepawa Minor Hockey hosts Female Bantam Provincials

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Published on Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Photo by Eoin Devereux. The bantam club for Neepawa Minor Hockey (in black) defends the net from the pressing attack of the Brandon team, during the bronze medal game at the Yellowhead Centre on Sunday, Feb. 28.

By Eoin Devereux

Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press

Some of the best young female players from across western Manitoba converged in Neepawa over the weekend for 2016 Rural A/B Hockey Provincial Championship. Teams from Brandon, Birtle, Manitou and the host club from Neepawa faced off in the single round robin format.

The event kicked off on Friday, Feb. 26 with Manitou blanking Brandon 1-0. Following that opening showdown, Neepawa played its first game of the weekend as they challenged Birtle. Despite a strong effort out on the ice, the host club was defeated 6-1.

On Saturday, Neepawa returned to the ice for a pair of games. The first matchup would see them fall to Manitou 6-2, while the second game ended in a draw with Brandon at 3-3. Those results ensured that Birtle would face Manitou in the gold medal game, while Neepawa found themselves matched up with Brandon battling for the bronze medal. 

On Sunday, Feb. 28, Neepawa and Brandon once again played an extremely close contest, with both teams generating several scoring opportunities. With Brandon holding on to a slim one-goal advantage late in the game, Neepawa received a power play.  Despite keeping Brandon pushed back in its own zone throughout those two minutes and creating several close scoring chances, Neepawa was unable to secure the late tying goal and ultimately fell in the bronze medal game 2-1. 

As for the gold medal game, it was Birtle who closed out the weekend as the bantam champions by defeating Manitou.