U18 AAA Eastman Selects ready for fight to the finish

The Eastman Selects Manitoba Female Hockey League U18 AAA team may be the defending league champions, but they’re feeling like the hunters and not the hunted as their league schedule comes to a close.

The team has been locked in a battle with the Winnipeg Ice for top spot in the standings throughout the entire season, but 21 regulation wins in 24 games isn’t enough to lead in points percentage. The Ice have just two losses so far this season.

“There’s a little bit of pride, trying to finish as high as you can,” head coach Trevor Hildebrand said after a win against sixth-place Central Plains Jan. 24.

“It keeps us a little motivated.”

When sorting by goal-difference the Selects are the best in the league, with their plus-90 rating — more than 30 above the Ice. They’ve scored the most goals of any team in the league (114) and have given up the fewest (24). Teams on average only score one goal per game against Eastman.

“We have this points race that helps us, that gives us that added drive game in game out,” Hildebrand said.

“We want to peak at the right time going into the playoffs.”

Last season showed home ice in the playoffs matters in the U18 AAA ranks, with Eastman needing a double-overtime victory in a winner-takes-all game five inside the Niverville Resource and Rec Centre to claim the provincial championship.

“You hate to look ahead, but just having home ice as long as you can in the playoffs, assuming you go deeper, always helps,” Hildebrand said.

“Having that last change, those little things matter.”

The Selects play a high-pressure style, with a relentless forecheck.

Hildebrand said their forecheck was the identity of the team and it was on display in Eastman’s 5-1 victory over Central Plains.

It wasn’t just forwards generating turnovers, but defenders stepping up to play a role in Eastman’s forecheck, picking off errant passes with regularity and turning opposition breakouts into offensive chances throughout the game.

“Our depth is what gives us an advantage over a lot of teams, getting everyone involved and playing connected is a big thing for us,” Hildebrand said.

“We talk lots about gaps, and having our D active and part of the offense.”

The Selects also boast two of the best goaltenders in the province, with Addie Tomes and Isabelle Labossiere number one and two in terms of goals against average in the league this season.

“We’ve really paid attention to our off-ice in these past months, and I think it’s been really pushing us to stay consistent, stay ready and be competitive” Tomes said.

“It’s good to have that competition. I think it drives us to see that.”

The Selects will next play at home Feb. 6 when they host the Winnipeg Avros. A heavyweight showdown is in the cards Feb. 8 when Eastman hosts the Winnipeg Ice. Puck drop is at 1:15 p.m. for that game.

TOMES TO U OF S

The Winnipeg-born Tomes committed to the University of Saskatchewan this week, choosing to stay close to home in Canada.

Tomes waited longer than most players to announce her commitment, but her familiarity with the program in Saskatchewan made it a perfect fit.

“There’s lots of girls there I know, great facilities and a good school,” Tomes said.

“I knew I didn’t want to be somewhere that was so far that I couldn’t come home at all. It felt so right. When I visited other schools it was trying to fit in. It just felt like I did fit in (at U of S).”

Tomes has a 0.957 save percentage with an 11-0-1 record this season and is giving up less than one goal per game.

“We’ve been so fortunate as a program to have her as a part of the program,” Hildebrand said.

“She does a lot of things away from the rink, her preparation, her recovery, to put herself in a good spot to perform.”

Tomes said it’s been “amazing,” to work in a goaltender tandem with Labrossiere. Both goalies have picked up player of the week honours in the MFHL this season.

“She’s always smiling, always makes things easy, she’s such a big competitor,” Tomes said.

“I’m really proud of her, I’m proud of both of us for keep pushing.”