The two U18 teams for elite northern hockey players are both in the thick of playoff action.
The Northern Capitals is the AAA-level team for female players while the Cariboo Cougars is the AAA-level team for the best of the best. Both are based out of Prince George, in affiliation with Prince George Secondary School and the BC Elite Hockey League (BCEHL).
Both teams are comprised of players assembled from all across northern B.C. and the territories through an autumn tryout process.
Both teams began their first-round playoff games on Friday (Mar. 8) on home ice.
The Cougars were up against the North West Hawks from North and West Vancouver, while the Capitals were up against the Vancouver Island Seals.
The Cougars won their game by a score of 8-4 although fans and management said following the game that it felt closer than the final tally indicated. They can close out the best-of-three series today (Mar. 9) with a win, that game starting at 2 p.m. If a third game is necessary, it would happen Mar. 10 at 11:45.
The Cariboo Cougars play their home games at the Kin 1 arena in Prince George in the CN Centre rink complex.
The Capitals dropped their first contest by a score of 3-1 in a tight defensive battle. They try to get back in the win column today with a 5:45 p.m. start. If they extend the series to a third and deciding game, it would happen Mar. 10 at 9 a.m.
The Northern Capitals play their home games at the Kin 2 arena at the CN Centre rink complex.
Roster composition U18-AAA
Cariboo Cougars
In addition to the Prince George players (Shea Baker, Garrett Feeney, Josh Gendron, Ryder Green, Logan Hauk, Jaxon Larmand, Kenyon McIsaac, Brett Peebles, Jack Tidsbury, Lucas Woodbeck), the U18 Cariboo Cougars roster is made up of players from Williams Lake (Grady Gustafson, Jaxson Dikur, Ben Fofonoff), Charlie Lake (Landon Alexander, Mason Loewen), Quesnel (Isaiah Bagri), Dawson Creek (Owen Wilkinson), Chetwynd (Rylan Bissett), Terrace (William McKay), Kitimat (Brock Minaker), and Tyson Matthews with his connections to Houston, Whitehorse, Kelowna and Vernon.
Northern Capitals
In addition to the Prince George players (Abby Bryant, Knyla Evans, Luka Flannery, Paxton Fraser, Breanna Hunter, Avery Maloney, Sage Nohr, Payton Planetta, Anna Stewart), the U18 Northern Capitals roster is made up of players from Vanderhoof (Lauren Baker, Sarah Prestmo, Taylor Siemans), Williams Lake (Paige Cheek, Neen Suapa), Smithers (Nicole Bateman, Gabriella Meier), Cecil Lake (Staysha Hiebert), Gitanimaxx (Penelope Johnson), Fort St. John (Grace MacDonald), and Dawson Creek (Audrina Freeman).