For as long as the Balmoral High (BH) Series has been marked on PV Female Hawks schedule, it has been equally anticipated. Having played only once in a tournament series in Minneapolis at the at the end of November with BH having deposited a 3-0 decision over PV, the two-month wait to settle the score has been a long one.   Boasting many players from across the province including 9 Team Manitoba U-18 players, the BH Varsity Prep Team  plays  in the Junior Women’s Hockey League as well as exhibition games.  With 2 Team Manitoba U-18 players of their own and depth which pulls from across the Pembina Valley Region, the Hawks knew going in that they would have their hands full.  But they were up for it! 

The first period of the January 15 game was a whole new scene as PV needed to adjust to the game pace.  Luckily it ended with only minor damage as BH managed to tuck one in halfway through the first.  With shots on goal fairly even into the second, the Hawks came out flying and shorter shifts proved to be key as Cassidy Carels powered a shot from Ostberg & Grenier which deflected off the BH defense to tie it up.  A power play with Kristine Grenier slotting it five hole with helpers from Carels & Osberg put the Hawks ahead with only seconds left in the second.  The third period was a back and forth battle but a full force BH troupe managed a trickler past a near flawless Brittni Mowat to mark the score even with only three minutes left in the game.  Shots on goal were 26 to 20 in BH’s favour.  With a loss and a tie vs. BH, the Hawks looks forward to making the trek to the MTS Iceplex in Winnipeg tomorrow.

... and so part II of the story continues at the MTS Iceplex on January 16 with PV coming out strong in the first 10 minutes of the period but this would wither a bit in the last half, the Hawks going to the dressing room down 2 to 1 with credit going to Jessica Kaminsky with help from Chelsea VanDeynze and Jenn Derksen.  After a quick pep talk and a review of our game plan, period two shaped up very nicely with the Hawks striking twice -- once again by our hardworking #7 Jessica Kaminsky with help from our Deadly-D Man Maddy Hutchinson and an unassisted sniper from Ali Nychuk leading us back to the dressing room ahead 3-2.  Period three saw the Hawks challenged with some penalty business with Balmoral evening up the scoreboard 3-3.  The score would remain unchanged for the last six minutes and, once again, these very evenly-matched teams shook hands with congratulations to each for a good game.  Our very solid 'tender Brittni Mowat, consistent as always, stood tall as we battled 34-31 shots on goal in BH's favor.