Two Squamish women who both play and coach hockey are tasting sweet victory this week.
Locals Nicole Pederson and Karmen Mooney play with the North Shore Rebels, which won 2-1 in overtime against the Fraser Valley Jets on March 26, becoming provincial champions for the second year in a row. In addition to playing for the Rebels, the pair are also coaches with the Squamish Women’s Hockey Academy.
After 52 tense minutes of scoreless play, forward Jess Sibley scored in overtime to secure the win over the Jets at the Tourism Hope / South Coast Women’s Hockey League Championship Tournament in Hope, giving the Rebels the BC Hockey Senior AA banner.
Making 22 saves on 23 shots, Rebels goalie Cassidy Hendricks earned the SCWHL’s Playoff MVP award.
Lindsay DiPietro of the Jets gave her team an early lead, but Shannon Morris-Reade tied it up just two seconds before the first period buzzer.
The Rebels, who were also the regular season champions, won three games and tied one at the playoff tournament at the Hope and District Arena. They were 1-0-1 to finish first in their pool, before defeating the Meadow Ridge Moose 4-2 in Saturday’s semi-final.
Sibley, who played four years at Syracuse University in New York, led the SCWHL tournament in scoring with four goals. With three assists, she also topped the tourney in points with seven in four games played.
The local coaches will be back on Squamish ice with a new round of Women’s Hockey Beginner 101 classes for any local females who want to try out the sport. Find out more at Squamish Women’s Hockey Academy on Facebook.
~With files from Jennifer Thuncher/The Squamish Chief
