The two returning teams from the 2024 Esso Cup are rising to the top in 2025 with the Edmonton Jr. Oilers remaining undefeated, needing a shootout this time, and the North York Storm picking up another regulation win.
With two games remaining for each team in the round robin, there are crucial points on the line to set up playoff match ups.
Oilers Stay Undefeated With Shootout Win
The Edmonton Jr. Oilers held onto their crown as the only undefeated team at the 2025 Esso Cup beating the Saskatoon Stars 4-3 in a shootout. Parker Small was the hero for Edmonton in the game as they trailed Saskatoon 3-2 with less than four minutes remaining in the game. Small tied the game and then scored the deciding shootout winner to lift the Oilers.
“Both teams played very well tonight. It was a very tight game," said Edmonton defender Ciara Lang. "We battled hard to get that game-tying goal at the end and after that we stayed calm, we did not want to rush anything. I think that the last 10 minutes of the game or so, we just kept on going and finally got one in the back of the net to take this game to overtime. As for the shootout, it was a little stressful of course, but we have a lot of good players on the team and we did what we needed to do to get the win.”
Paige Smith and Keira Grant also scored for the Oilers, while Halle Duchene, Kolbee Ashe, and Danelle Steffen had Saskatoon's goals.
Storm Gaining Power
The North York Storm won silver last year, and they want to play for gold again this year. Lily Paisley scored her tournament leading eighth goal to open the scoring. In the second period Andie McLean and Lauren Kruzel added to North York's lead.
Taryn Leighton would get a power play marker for the host Llyodminster Steelers but it wasn't enough as North York took the 3-1 win.
“It was a close and tight game on both ends here tonight. It was a very fast-paced game going through and we wanted to make sure we maintained the momentum after we scored the first goal," said North York goalie Jamie Sanford, who made 29 saves in the win. "After we allowed five goals in the first game, I think we really stepped it up in the last two games and played better defensively. Tonight, a lot of the shots were screened but we did a good job clearing it up in front of the net."
Eastern Stars Get Their First Win
The Eastern Stars earned their first win of the tournament, a 3-2 decision over Étoiles de Laurentides-Lanaudière. Taylor Hunter continued her strong tournament scoring two of the Stars' goals in the game while Ellie Mullins had the other. Emily Gardiner assisted on all three for the Eastern Stars.
Maika Gauthier followed up her hat trick from last game scoring the opener for the Quebec champions. She also assisted on a late game goal by Ann-Laurence Dutil that pulled Laurentides-Lanaudière within one.