The Stettler OK Tire Midget Storm girls team is headed to Vermilion later this month to face off in Midget Female B provincials.
The team is making its way to provincials after defeating Irma in a two-game provincial playdown series, team manager Rena Hogg told the Independent.
The girls lost 4-2 in the first game of the series on Feb. 18, leaving them two points behind heading into the second game on Feb. 24.
Hogg reported that the girls played “an intense, exciting game,” despite falling behind by two points by the halfway point of the second period.
Kierra Scollo scored for Stettler with 11 minutes to go in the second period, followed by a goal by captain Kelsie Litke, giving the girls a 2-2 tie heading into the third.
In what Hogg called a “turning point in the game,” Grace Chapman scored a mere 16 seconds into the third period.
The Stettler team dominated from then on, keeping Irma scoreless for the remainder of the game. Morgan VanDusen gave Stettler a fourth goal with 10 minutes remaining, putting them at a tie with Irma in the series.
With 57 seconds on the clock, Jayden Hogg followed that up with a fifth goal.
“The girls kept control of the game for those last 57 seconds,” said Hogg. “Irma pulled their goalie for those last seconds and Stettler denied them any chances to go into overtime. The team’s determination was inspiring.”
Hogg said the team’s coaching staff — which includes herself, Dale Litke, Trevor McKinnon, Tony Ganser and Troy Slemp — was very proud of the team’s effort.
She also noted the girls’ excellent season record this year, in which they ended first in their league, with 20 wins, one loss and four ties.
The team will compete in Midget Female B provincials in Vermilion from March 19 to 22.