The Eastman Flames won U19 bronze at the 2018 Canadian Ringette Championships in Winnipeg.

The Flames scored six unanswered first period goals en route to a 7-2 victory over the Waterloo Wildfire in the third place game at Bell MTS Place.

“Everyone was on point,” said Eastman centre Milica Oravec who had three goals and two assists Saturday morning. “Everyone’s feet were moving. We were faster and we were getting to those rings. Everything was clicking.”

It was an impressive bounce back win for the Flames who suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Blainville, Quebec in the semifinals on Friday.

Eastman had a 3-2 lead with a less than a minute left when Megane Fortin scored her third goal of the game at 19:05 of the second period and Delphine Aguiar potted the winner with just 12 seconds remaining in regulation.

“It was really hard to come back from that,” said Flames captain Kennedy Howden. “I think it all made us stronger in the end. We woke up and we were like, this is it - this is our last game of the year.”

Howden scored a pair of goals in the bronze medal game while the rest went to Kailey Rouire and Natalie Derbowka.

Eastman goaltender Trudy Beamish, who received the U19 Toughest Competitor Award, stopped 26 of 28 shots.

Flames head coach Luc Roy said it was a memorable week competing in a National Championship in their home province.

“It was a great experience. All the fans cheering on our behalf and being able to see some friendly faces – aunts, uncles, grandparents. Some of the Eastman Association’s teams came out to support us and we truly appreciate that.”

Milica Oravec was named to the U19 First All-Star team and defenseman Emilie Gruninger was selected to the Second All-Star team.


photo credit: Ringette Canada

Eastman Flames - U19 Bronze Medalists 2018 Canadian Ringette Championships
Goaltenders: Trudy Beamish (Steinbach) & Shelby Mitchell (Wpg)
Defensemen: Jenna Lees (Oakbank), Josee Roy (Ste. Agathe), Rachel Haner (Oakbank), Emilie Gruninger (Oakbank) & Briee Armstrong (Wpg)
Forwards: Alexa Bezditny (Steinbach), Morgan Parynuik (Portage), Janelle Darragh (Oakbank), Megan Trudeau (Lorette), Belle Paisley (Steinbach), Kailey Rouire (Ile des Chenes), Kenndey Howden (Lorette), Milica Oravec (Oakbank) & Natalie Derbowka (Ste. Agathe)
Head Coach: Luc Roy
Assistant Coaches: Brooke Enns, Kylie Neustaedter & Debbie Peters
Manager: Robin Paisley