Lots of locals at Chevy Cup championship

The first weekend of the annual Chevrolet Cup tournament saw high-level girls’ hockey on display in Quebec City, with Kahnawa’kehró:non a big part of the action.

Goaltender Hayse Horne and the U15 AAA Lac St. Louis Warriors went all the way to the finals, before losing in the finals on a heartbreaking overtime goal by the Quebec Aces to lose 1-0.

“It wasn’t what we were hoping for, and I think I’m still working on processing and turning the page on it, but I have to say that the disappointment of the loss isn’t in any way directed at the girls or how they performed. The disappointment is that they deserved to win it all,” said head coach Britney Bissonnette.

“To make it to the final in the Chevy Cup isn’t an easy task to achieve, not only did we get there but we went undefeated to get there. They’re a special group and I couldn’t be prouder of the way they showed up.”

Horne mainly served as backup to starter Marlowe Cormier, appearing in one game. She made it count, though, backstopping the Warriors to a 6-4 victory against the Laval-Montreal Amazones.

“We needed her and she showed up and did her thing! She made big saves when she had to and kept her team in the game,” said Bissonnette.

“The Amazones didn’t slow down, they kept giving, and thankfully Hayse was able to shut them down and keep them far enough to secure the win when we needed it, to place us in a better position to get to the final.”

Bissonnette commended Horne’s abilities in net and on the bench supporting her teammates.

“Any save her partner would make, she would be the first one cheering. Energy on the bench is where everything starts and being the backup, you play a big part in getting your team going on the bench when they’re not able to cheer or find the positives,” said Bissonnette.

Aria Kirby-Snook and the U13 AAA Lac St. Louis Warriors did not make the medal round, going 1-2.

“It was a really great experience. I think our team played some of our best hockey, and being with the same friends for three years made it even more meaningful,” she said.

“Sports aren’t always about the scoreboard and medals. The real fun comes from getting to know new people, learning from each other, and being happy for yourself and for others.”

Although it was disappointing not to make the medal round, she was still proud of how hard her team battled in the tournament, making it to overtime twice.

“It was really strong competition. We played against teams we had battled all year and had lost to before, so making it into overtime with them really showed us how hard we were working and how much we were giving,” said Kirby-Snook.

It was very meaningful to her to play in a tournament where girls’ hockey is at the forefront.

“It also makes me feel really good about all the hard work I’ve been putting in, and that it matters not just to me, but to other girls like me too,” said Kirby-Snook.

Two other teams featuring community members took part in the girls’ portion of the Chevrolet Cup.

Briella Kirby won bronze with the U12 AA Lac St. Louis Warriors, registering an assist in five games. The U12 AA Warriors were undefeated going into the semifinals, before losing 1-0 against the Huskies after they scored the game-winning goal midway through the third period.

The U15 AA Sud Ouest Storm, with Iakotste’niá:ron Deer, Ella Montour, and Teieronhiathè:tha Bauersfeld, unfortunately went 0-3.

This weekend, the boys will compete in the Chevrolet Cup, with the U17 AAA Lac St. Louis Grenadiers and goaltender Kingston Delisle as well as Jaxton McComber and Rome Delisle on the roster; and the U15 AA Suroit Express will compete with Jacob Paul, Hunter Jacobs, Rahontsawaks Albany, Skaniaterahtishon Delaronde, and Rowan Diabo.

[email protected]