The Lakeland Jaguars peewee girls hockey team lost 5-3 to the visiting Irma Aces on Saturday evening in Bonnyville.
Ali Macaulay, Madison Daley and Joelle Jodoin scored for the hometown Jaguars in the final regular season home game for the team.
“I think we did really well. Both our defense and our forwards were really strong,” said Jodoin after the game.
“I think that we have improved a lot this year and we have really improved with our positional play,” added assistant captain Erica Reddecliff.
The team consists of 11 and 12-year-old girls from Bonnyville, Cold Lake, Pierceland, Elk Point and St. Paul.
This season is different for the Jaguars as the team is in the midst of gearing up to host the peewee girls provincial hockey tournament, which will run from March 20-23 in Bonnyville.
Nine other teams from across Alberta will be coming to Bonnyville to participate in the four-day tournament, with each team guaranteed four games.
According to Jaguars head coach Wade Brockhoff, Hockey Alberta was struggling to find an organization willing to host the tournament.
Brockhoff decided to step up and have the Lakeland host the tournament, feeling that it would be a great opportunity for his team.
“The past two years we were shy of advancing to the tournament by one goal. I thought this was a great opportunity for the kids. It's all for the girls,” said Brockhoff.
The tournament will kick off on March 20, with an official opening ceremonies followed by a banquet on Friday night and a tailgate party on Saturday. Sunday will see the semi-final and championship games played.
Ashley Cockell, a product of the Pierceland Minor Hockey Association, will be a guest at the tournament. Cockell played nationally for Canada's Under 22 Women's hockey team.
“The players out there are a great team but we also have a great team of parents as well and that is what makes or breaks setting up something like this. They're awesome,” said Brockhoff.
The Jaguars are staying positive heading into the stretch drive of their season.
Brockhoff says the season has had quite a few “heartbreakers”, but feels the team will play well in the provincial tournament.
“I am really confident in the girls. If they play hard I think they will represent this area well.”
The players, on the other hand, are extremely excited and think the team is going to do well.
“The season has been going really well,” said Sienna Brockhoff. “I am really excited (for provincials). I hope we do well.”
“We are all really excited,” added Jodoin. “I think we are going to do well. We have come along way this season.”
