Shannon Coulter
We’re down to two in the Pacific Region.
The Greater Vancouver Comets hope to reach its first Esso Cup after a strong regular season in the British Columbia Elite Hockey League (BCEHL). Goaltender Olivia Tran leads the BCEHL in wins (19), shootouts (nine) and has the second-best goals-against average at 1.18—fellow Comets netminder, Alexandra Johnston, has the season’s best average with a 0.77 GAA. Johnston carried the regular-season momentum into the playoffs with a 4-0 record, 1.37 GAA and a .930 saves percentage.
In the Alberta Female Hockey League, the Edmonton Jr. Oilers were the team to beat, recording one overtime loss against the Lloydminster Steelers on January 26 during the regular season. Keira Grant had an excellent performance in the provincial tournament, scoring seven goals and adding three helpers in six playoff games. Standout goaltending from Taya Christie and Ella Dunham-Fox resulted in only five goals against and two shutouts during the provincial tournament.
RECENT CHAMPIONS (ESSO CUP FINISH) 2024 – Edmonton Jr. Oilers (bronze medal) 2023 – Fraser Valley Rush (silver medal) 2022 – Fraser Valley Rush (silver medal) 2019 – St. Albert Slash (gold medal) 2018 – St. Albert Slash (gold medal)
GREATER VANCOUVER COMETS BCEHL CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 28-2-2 (1st in BCEHL) Goals for: 137 Goals against: 33 Leading scorer: Rowan Brooke Hu (21G 20A 41P)
Playoff record: 4-0 Goals for: 11 Goals against: 6 Leading scorer: Carolyn Koo and Noe Crookham (2G 1A 3P)
ROAD TO THE PACIFIC REGIONAL Semifinal: defeated Thompson-Okanagan Lakers 2-0 (3-2, 3-1) Final: defeated Northern Capitals 2-0 (1-0, 4-3)
Last national championship appearance: none Total national championship appearances: none
EDMONTON JR. OILERS AFHL CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 27-1-0 (1st in AFHL) Goals for: 124 Goals against: 26 Leading scorer: Parker Small (11G 20A 31P)
Playoff record: 6-0 Goals for: 24 Goals against: 5 Leading scorer: Keira Grant (7G 3A 10P)
ROAD TO THE PACIFIC REGIONAL Quarterfinal: defeated Sherwood Park Reign 2-0 (5-2, 7-1) Semifinal: defeated Calgary Fire Red 2-0 (3-1, 1-0) Final: defeated St. Albert Slash 2-0 (5-1, 3-0)
Last national championship appearance: 2024 (bronze medal) Total national championship appearances: 8 (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2024)