News

  HAWKS SWEEP WILDCATS

   Round 2 of the MFMHL playoffs had the Westman Wildcats playing the Pembina Valley Hawks and Game 1 was Wednesday March 9 in Glenboro. The Wildcats came out flying in the first period and finished out the period with a 2-1 lead. The Hawks came out hard in the second period and really put the push on the Wildcats and scored 4 unanswered goals to end the second period up 5-2. The 2 teams traded chances in the third period but were unable to find the back of the net with the final score ending up 5-2 in Pembina Valley's favor. PV outshot the Wildcats 35-23 with Rachelle Lougheed in net for the Cats. Point getters for the Wildcats were Jessica Vallotton and Kiara DeKezel with a a goal each and single assists to Karissa Kirkup and Amanda Coey.

   Game 2 of the series was back in Glenboro on Saturday March 12 with the Wildcats in a must win situation. Again the Wildcats came out playing very hard in this game and although they outshot Pembina Valley 43-28 they were unable to solve the Hawks goaltender. Period scores were 2-0 PV after the first period, 3-1 PV after the second period and the final score 4-1 in favor of Pembina Valley. Rachelle Lougheed was in net for the Wildcats and point getters were Elise Badiou with the lone Wildcat goal with assists going to Amanda Coey and Karissa Kirkup.

   The Wildcats now prepare for Provincial tournament this upcoming weekend at the MTS Iceplex in Winnipeg.

WILDCATS SWEEP CAPITALS

Tuesday was Game 1 of a best of 3 series putting the Westman Wildcats up against the Central Plains Capitals in the first round of MFMHL Playoffs. Both teams had chances in the first period but it was not until the 5 minute mark that the Wildcats found the back of the net and in fact found it 3 times to end the first period 3 – 0. Both teams traded goals in the second period to end that period 4 – 1. Westman scored a quick goal a minute into the third and the Capitals put on pressure of their own to finish the third period strong, scoring 2 goals for a final score of Wildcats 5 – Capitals 3. Rachelle Lougheed faced 30 shots in net as the Cats outshot the Capital 51 – 30. Karissa Kirkup had a big night for the Wildcats getting the hat trick and two assists, Kiara DeKezel had a goal and 2 assists, Amanda Coey a goal, Jessica Vallotton had 2 assists and a single assist to Jaycee Magwood.

Game 2 was Friday night in Portage and again the Wildcats came out quickly in the first period with good pressure and ended the first period up 2 – 0. The Wildcats got the lone goal in the second frame and headed into the final period up 3 – 0. The Capitals again put on pressure but were unable to solve the solid goaltending of Rachelle Lougheed who had the shut out in net. Final score was Wildcats 5 – Capitals 0. Point getters for the Wildcats were Jessica Vallotton and Kiara DeKezel with a goal and an assist each, Samantha Dyck, Jaycee Magwood and Amanda Coey all with one goal each and single assists to Elise Badiou, Bailee Goodon, Karissa Haney and Bree Vanhove. The Wildcats now wait to see who they will play in the second round.

WILDCATS PLAY EXHIBITION GAMES

After a twelve day layoff the Westman Wildcats hit the ice this past weekend with two exhibition games in preparation for the upcoming playoffs. In the first game the Cats took on the Westman Senior Ladies in Hartney Friday evening. It was soon evident that there was some rust due to the lay off for the Cats while the Senior Ladies came skating hard and trying to take advantage of the Cats, the first period was fairly evenly played with both teams having scoring chances. In the second the Senior Ladies picked up their play and the Cats were slow to respond. The Senior Ladies were able to take advantage of a Cats penalty and got the only goal of the period. The Wildcats came out in the third after regrouping at the break and showed a strong determination to win by scoring on the first shift of the period. This seemed to give the team a lift as they started to play a stronger game with good puck movement and skating  and scoring 3 more goals. This gave the Cats and call up goaltender Sarah Paulson a 4-1 win. Point getters in this game: Karissa Kirkup 1 goal and 2 assists, Jessica Vallotton 3 assists, Samantha Dyck 1 goal, Amanda Coey 2 goals, Sarah Paulson 1 assist and Bree Vanhove 1 assist.

The second game of the weekend found the Cats in Melville Sask. for a noon game on Sunday. This was a rematch of two weeks earlier in which the Cats lost a 2-0 game. This game was much the same as the last with scoring chances at both ends of the ice. The Cats were able to score at 7:26 of the first. This was the only score until midway through the third when the Cats took a penalty and Melville capitalized 10 seconds into their power play and tied up the game and this was how game ended 1-1. The only goal of the game for the Cats was scored by Samantha Dyck assisted by Jessica Vallotton.

The Wildcats will now start the first round of MFMHL playoffs with a best of 3 series against the Central Plains Capitals. Game 1 is in Hartney on Tuesday, March 1 at 8:00 p.m., Game 2 is in Portage on Friday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. and Game 3 (if necessary) is in Hartney on Saturday, March 5 at 7:00 p.m.

Also returning to the Wildcats lineup after spending the last 10 days in Halifax at the 2011 Canada Winter Games is Kiara DeKezel who proudly represented the Westman Wildcats on Team Manitoba U-18 Female Team. Team Manitoba had 6 wins and 1 loss but the loss came in a crucial qualifying game which relegated them to the placement games and a fifth place finish.

Westman Wildcats Coaching Positions

 The Westman Wildcats Female Midget Regional hockey team, in association with the Westman South region, is currently seeking applicants for all coaching positions for the 2011-12 hockey season.

 The Wildcats have a strong tradition of excellence and have secured both Provincial and National Championship titles since their inaugural season. The team plays in the MFMHL (Manitoba Female Midget Hockey League) and participates in a number of elite AAA female tournaments across Western Canada and the Northern United States. The team practices and plays out of Hartney, Manitoba.

The Hiring Committee is looking for enthusiastic, organized, self-motivated individuals that are positive in their approach to the game, and dedicated to excellence. The successful candidates must have strong communication skills.

 All Head Coach applicants must have minimum “Development 1” coaching certification.

All Assistant Coach applicants must have minimum “Coach” certification.

 All interested individuals please submit your resume and cover letter to:

 Guy Williams

gwill@mymts.net

 When submitting your application, please specify whether you are applying for the Head Coaching or Assistant Coaching position.

 Deadline for applications: March 8, 2011

Best Wishes and good luck to Kiara as she heads off to Halifax to represent Manitoba in Female Hockey.

Follow the results at this link.

http://cg2011.gems.pro/Result/Event_PO_T_T.aspx?Event_GUID=76b06441-65bc-435e-9edd-ce3ed6fea20a&SetLanguage=en-CA&SetLanguage=en-CA

GO TEAM MANITOBA!

WILDCATS TOURNAMENT

The Westman Wildcats hosted a tournament this past weekend with 5 teams participating and playing a round robin tournament format. The Wildcats’ first game was Friday against the Minnesota Crunch, a very talented and experienced U-19 team who have enjoyed a lot of success this year. The Wildcats came out hard and outshot the Crunch in the first period but were unable to capitalize heading into the second period down 1 – 0. In the second period the Wildcats played well but were caught watching for a three minute span which the Crunch capitalized on and scored 3 unanswered to end the second period down 4 – 0. Again in the third the Cats were unable to find the back of the net with the Crunch scoring once more to end the game at a 5 – 0 score. Shots were 32 – 28 in favor of the Wildcats. Rachelle Lougheed played well in net for the Cats.

Saturday’s first game saw the Wildcats up against the Westman Senior Ladies team and the Cats came out with a strong effort and won convincingly 8 – 3. The period scores were 1 – 1 after the first, 4 – 3 after the second and the final 8 – 3. Shots on net were 44 – 13 in favor of Westman with Rachelle Lougheed in net. Point getters for the Cats were Karissa Kirkup with the hat trick and 2 assists, Kiara DeKezel 2 goals and 2 assists, Melissa Hunt a goal and 2 assists, Jaycee Magwood a goal and an assist, Amanda Coey with 3 assists, Samantha Dyck with a goal and Elise Badiou, Kaitlyn Whaley, Teijin Barkley and Megan Robertson all with single assists.

Saturday night’s contest had the Wildcats up against their eastern provincial rival the Eastman Selects and once again this proved to be another close contest. Eastman scored the lone goal half way through the first period and this was the first period score 1 – 0. The second period saw both teams with good scoring chances and both goaltenders making good saves, the second period ended up 3 – 1 Eastman. Westman came out hard in the third putting the pressure on Eastman and with 5 minutes remaining scored to close within one. With 1 minute left and Eastman in the penalty box, Westman pulled their goalie for the extra attacker and had numerous opportunities to score but couldn’t. Final score Eastman 3, Westman 2. Rachelle Lougheed had a strong game in the Wildcat net, shots were 22 – 24 in favor of Eastman. Point getters for the Westman Wildcats were: Kiara DeKezel and Amanda Coey with a goal each and single assists to Gina Williams, Kaitlyn Whaley, Melissa Hunt and Karissa Kirkup.

Sunday’s final round robin game had the Wildcats up against Melville and this game had a very fast pace to it with plenty of scoring chances but the Wildcats were unable to solve Melville’s goaltender. Period scores were 1 – 0 after the first, 2 – 0 after the second and the final 2 – 0 in favor of Melville. Westman outshot Melville 28 – 19 and Rachelle Lougheed made many fine saves in the Wildcat net.

All Games at Hartney and Area Arena

51 Garden Street

 (204) 858-2135

Friday, February 11, 2011

Game 1 6:00pm Crunch vs Westman

Game 2 8:15pm Senior Ladies vs Eastman

Saturday, February 12, 2011 

Game 3 10:30am Melville vs Crunch

Game 4 12:45pm Westman vs Senior Ladies

Game 5 3:00pm Eastman vs Melville

Game 6 5:15 pm Senior Ladies vs Crunch

Game 7 7:30pm Eastman vs Westman

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Game 8 9:00am Melville vs Senior Ladies

Game 9 11:15am Crunch vs Eastman

Game 10 1:30pm Westman vs Melville

Admission

Tournament Pass Adult     $15.00

Tournament Pass Student  $10.00

Day Pass Adult  $7.00

Day Student Pass $5.00

Under 12   Free

WILDCATS PLAY YELLOWHEAD

Tuesday February 2 the Westman Wildcats travelled up to Rivers to take on the Yellowhead Chiefs. The Wildcats were unable to get any real flow going in a game that would be best described as a chippy affair. Period scores were 1-1 after the first period, 4-3 for Yellowhead after the second period. The score remained this way until the Wildcats pulled their goaltender with less than a minute to play in the third period and the Chiefs managed to score an empty net goal with 15 seconds remaining in the game for a final score of 5-3 Yellowhead. Rachelle Lougheed was in net for the Wildcats who outshot the Chiefs 35-26. Point getters for Westman were Jessica Vallotton with a goal and an assist, Bailee Goodon and Samantha Dyck with one goal each and single assists going to Karissa Haney, Teagan Pringle, Gina Williams, Karissa Kirkup and Kiara DeKezel.