The latest chapter in the Northern Capitals’ rivalry with the Greater Vancouver Comets included a shootout to decide the winner of a Family Day weekend tournament.
The 2020 Fraser Valley Classic took place in Langley where both clubs met each other for the ninth time this season in the gold medal game Monday afternoon (Feb. 17).
Prince George’s club stuck with the third-ranked female midget AAA team in all of Canada and, despite the 2-1 shootout loss, it's been closest match to-date since the second of the three-game BC Winter Classic series in Fort St. James.
Yesterday’s match did not come with its chances to go up on Greater Vancouver as the Capitals had two five-on-three power-plays, including on within the final five minutes of the contest.
Comets captain Jenna Buglioni drew first blood under three minutes into the Fraser Valley Classic final to make it 1-0 off passes from Kari Berry-Davis and Grace Elliott.
The next goal didn’t come until five minutes left in regulation when Brette Kerley got some help from Paige Outhouse to tie it up at 1-1.
Caps goaltender Cadence Petitclerc-Crosby stood on her head to keep her team in it with Greater Vancouver as the game was sent to overtime, which also saw no score and a shootout was needed to decide the tournament champion.
The Comets came out on top in the shootout with Jordan Baxter potting the winner in the second round, but Petitclerc-Crosby was named the player of the game for her efforts in the 2-1 final.
Defence Brooke Norkus shared the Fraser Valley Classic’s MVP award with Comets goaltender Jordyn Verbeek.
The 15-year-old from Prince George had four points, all assists, in five tournament games.
The Northern Capitals’ weekend results are as follows:
- 3-2 win over Fraser Valley Rush
- 2-2 tie with Thomspon-Okanagan Lakers
- 3-0 win over Vancouver Island Seals
- 4-1 win over St. Albert Sharks
The Capitals return to league action this weekend on the road against the winless Vancouver Island Seals.
They’ll play four games in three days starting Friday (Feb. 21) after weather conditions postponed a previously scheduled meeting.
The Prince George ladies will wrap up the 2019-20 campaign on home ice at Kin 2 Arena Feb. 28, 29 and March 1 against the Fraser Valley Rush.
