The Pembina Valley Hawks endured a challenging stretch in Manitoba Female Hockey League U18 AAA action, dropping three straight games in early January against top-tier opponents.
Pembina Valley opened the week with a 6–1 loss to the Eastman Selects on Jan. 3 at the Niverville Community Resource and Recreation Centre. The Selects controlled play throughout, outshooting the Hawks 45–14 as Pembina Valley fell to 6-10-0 on the season.
The Hawks were back on the road Jan. 10, where they fell 4–2 to the Winnipeg Avros at Seven Oaks Arena. Despite an even 26–26 shot count, Pembina Valley was unable to capitalize on its chances and slipped to 6-11-0.
That was followed by a tough rematch with Eastman on Jan. 11 in Niverville, where the Selects earned an 11–0 victory. Eastman scored four times in the opening period and never looked back, holding a 38–15 edge in shots. Hawks goaltender Hannah Bannister faced sustained pressure, while Eastman’s Isabelle Labossiere recorded the shutout. The loss dropped Pembina Valley to seventh in league standings.
Through 19 games, the Hawks sit at 6-12-0 with 13 points, trailing the Selects and division-leading Winnipeg Ice in the standings.
Pembina Valley now looks to regroup with a busy week ahead. The Hawks host the Interlake Lightning on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Access Event Centre in Morden, before welcoming the Winnipeg Avros on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 4:30 p.m. They close the weekend Sunday, Jan. 18 with a noon matchup against Winnipeg Ice in Winnipeg.
With several games remaining, the Hawks will be aiming to build momentum and tighten defensively as they push toward the final stretch of the regular season.
