Gab-Roy/PDC hockey team finishes strong debut season in MWHSHL

Though their season ended in disappointing fashion with a playoff series loss on home ice, the Gabrielle-Roy/Pointe des Chenes Cavaliers are celebrating an outstanding first season in the Manitoba Women’s High School Hockey League.

The Cavaliers earned a berth in the top division playoffs after finishing in fourth place in their conference in a combined division regular season but were swept in consecutive games by top seeded Vincent Massey. The Winnipeg-based Trojans only lost three regular season games this year.

“For us to make division one was fantastic,” head coach Kevin Lansard said after a 5-0 loss in Ste Anne March 5 ended the team’s season.

“The girls were pushed to the max and the limit. It helps us as a staff for next year… It’s tough to see us lose that way, but we’re very proud of (the players) and we’re looking forward to the future.”

Lansard likes the combined division format and appreciated the opportunity for the first-year team to face off against the best high school programs the province has to offer.

The region hasn’t had a team play in the top division of the MWHSHL since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think the format and the style is fantastic,” Lansard said.

“(If) we finished fifth, we’re seed one of division two, and maybe going a little further from that perspective, but if you’re just talking development it was really good. We’re very proud we made division one and they earned it. We got to play against the best and unfortunately we lost.”

Players in the MWHSHL, unlike in Manitoba high school boys hockey, can play at the both minor and collegiate level.

“We’re reflecting already on how we want to start, where we need to be and understanding the league better,” Lansard said.