2015 Esso Cup

PADGETT WINS IT FOR EDMONTON IN SIX-ROUND SHOOTOUT

WENDY GRAVES

RED DEER, Alta. – Madison Padgett (Edmonton, Alta.) scored twice, including the winner, in a six-round shootout and the Edmonton Thunder defeated the Central Plains Capitals 1-0 Sunday afternoon at the 2015 Esso Cup.

Padgett slide a forehand just under Lauren Taraschuk’s (Winnipeg, Man.) glove inside the near post to end what had been an uptempo – and penalty-filled – game.

Tracie Kikuchi (Edmonton, Alta.) made 40 saves in regulation and overtime – plus five more in the shootout – to pick up the win. The Thunder goalie is no stranger to Esso Cup shootouts, having won one in last year’s semifinals to send her team to the gold medal game.

Taraschuk stopped 27 shots for Central Plains.

Prior to puck drop the Esso Cup games played scoreboard read: Edmonton, 42; Central Plains, 0.

To say the Capitals were not overwhelmed by either the experience of their opponents or the occasion would be an understatement.

The second game of the event had almost everything: great end-to-end action, quality scoring chances on both sides, great defence and even better goaltending. The only thing it was missing was goals.

For that you can thank Kikuchi and Taraschuk, who both stopped their opponents on partial breakaways and sprawled around their creases, seemingly knowing one goal could be the game.

Central Plains had had trouble scoring all season in the Manitoba Female Midget Hockey League, ranking fifth out of seven teams. The team was able to use its speed to create several quality scoring chances, but was turned aside by Kikuchi on all counts.

The Edmonton goalie ended up being the story of the game, even more so than the parade to the penalty box by both sides. The Thunder was called for nine minors, as well as a five-minute game misconduct; the Capitals for six minors plus a double minor.

With her team being outskated and frequently playing a man down, Kikucki showed the mettle of someone who’s been to the Esso Cup twice before. Even with her team on the man-advantage she came up big, sprawling to stop Emily Upgang (Poplar Point, Man.) after the Capitals forward got behind the defence late in the third period.

Edmonton next faces the host Red Deer Chiefs Monday night (7 p.m. MT), while Central Plains is back on the ice Monday afternoon against the Saskatoon Stars.