Audrey Jackson celebrates her game tying goal Sunday
Elsa Kurtz with a diving save on Liberty Fettig Sunday in the Shootout
Ashley Halverson scores for the Wolverines to keep the game alive
The Wolverines beat the Badgers Sunday in an epic 3-2 Shootout win to take the PeeWee Challenge Championship at Bloomington Ice Garden. It was only fitting that these two teams would have to battle into extra time Sunday. On Saturday morning, the Badgers beat the Wolverines when Emily Chronkite scored with 12 seconds left to lift them to a 5-4 win.
On Sunday the drama would be the same, but the result would be different. After trailing 2-1 at the half, Audrey Jackson would score for the Badgers knocking in a loose puck in front to send the game into a five minute overtime. Both teams had their chances but Avery Stillwell and Elsa Kurtz shut the door in their respective nets to force a shootout.
After MacKenzie Bourgerie scored for the Badgers in the second round to give them a 2-1 lead, Ashley Halverson was sent to mid-ice to keep her team alive for the Wolverines. She made a great backhand to forehand move to beat Kurtz to extend the shootout and grow the drama even more.
In round 4, Kurtz stopped Vivian Jungels on her backhand move to keep the score tied at 2 in the Shootout. Jungels would get revenge scoring on the 5th shot and send her team to the winner's circle. After scoring three game winning goals, two in Shootouts, she was named Tournament MVP.
The Wolverines celebrate after Avery Stillwell makes the final save to seal the win.
Vivian Jungels gets the GWG for the Wolverines Sunday
F MacKenzie Bourgerie, Badgers (NWC) - great hands and lights out vision when holding the puck...finished with six points
F Ashley Halverson, Wolverines (Edina) - lead all skaters with six points, hard nosed player that seemed to use her hustle and skill to create opportunities for herself and her team.
F Sydney Phaneuf, Irish (Virginia) - displayed flashes of brilliance at the PWC..so dangerous, teams were accounting for her shift every time she hit ice. One team was rumored to follow her while warming up the goalie between periods.
D Vivian Jungels, Wolverines (Edina) - great feet and in some ways even better hands. Had three game winning goals on he weekend in five games.. Very humble, seemed embarrassed to be named POTG or MVP.
D Brenna Fuhrmann, Wolverines (Farmington) - as good of a pure skater you will find at any level, boys or girls. Tough as nails performer, who seemed to get better with each outing.
G Elsa Kurtz, Badgers (Minnetonka) - technically sound, very strong and balanced while in the blue paint. Seemed like she was very comfortable with any situations. Made a memorable save with the paddle of her stick in the shootout Sunday.
MVP Vivian Jungels, Wolverines (Edina)