Ice lose heartbreaker to Rebels in double OT

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This article was published 08/04/2023 (1256 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

REGINA — Stryker Zablocki’s breakaway goal 56 seconds into the second overtime period lifted the Regina Rebels to a stunning 4-3 triumph over the Winnipeg Ice in the opening game of the Western Regional U18 AAA Female Hockey Final at the Co-operators Centre.

Earlier, Zablocki’s power-play goal with seven seconds remaining in the third period forced overtime, capping a furious rally for the Rebels who trailed 3-1 with less than four minutes remaining in the third period.

“It is probably the most heartbreaking loss I think that we’ve experienced — I’ve experienced,” said Ice head coach Eugene Kaminsky by phone. “I just I don’t know what to say.”

Haley Braun scored a pair of third-period goals to give Winnipeg a two-goal cushion but a power-play marker by Regina’s Greta Henderson ignited the comeback.

Alycia Ross also scored in the third period for Winnipeg, which trailed 1-0 after Brooklyn Nimegeers’ first-period goal.

Both Regina goals in the third period were scored with goaltender Hannah Tresek on the bench in favour of an extra attacker.

The Ice were whistled for three minor penalties in the final 4:05 of the third, killing off the first but allowing 6-on-4 goals on the second and third infractions.

“The last penalty was right in front of our bench,” said Kaminsky. “The Regina girl (and the Ice player) both go battling for a puck. (The Rebels player) loses her feet but we get the penalty because they’re both battling. It’s like, ‘How are you calling that?’ I was disgusted with it to be honest with you.”

Tresek finished with 18 saves.

Ice goaltender Jordyn Nepinak-Sargent stopped 31 shots.

Game 2 in the best-of-three series is scheduled for Saturday night at the Co-operators Centre. The Ice will now have to rebound from losing a game that had looked like a certain win for the visitors.

“It’s gonna be difficult,” said Kaminsky. “We talked to the girls. We told them they’re allowed to be upset. Take some time to be bothered by this and then we’re going to treat tomorrow as Game 1. We said this is our exhibition game. We’ve got to win two, whether it’s the first two or the last two.”

Game 3, if necessary, would be played at Regina’s Brandt Centre on Sunday afternoon.

The winner of the series advances to the Esso Cup U18 national championship, which will be held in Prince Albert, Sask., April 23-29.