The Pittsburgh Pens Elite 19U team took top spot on home ice at the annual Labor Day Girls Fest in Pittsburgh. The tournament is the first major event for top women's and girls programs from across Canada and the United States.
In the final, facing the OWHL's Burlington Barracudas, Pittsburgh was outshot 37-13, but Bianca Birrittieri, who was stellar for Team USA at this summer's U-18 select series against Canada, shut the door stopping every shot she faced for a 2-0 win.
After two scoreless periods, Mady Kirsch scored the winner 7:40 into the third period. Then in the dying seconds Talia Mertens put home an insurance marker into the empty net with only 33 seconds remaining.
Chicago Mission forward Iris Cheng, a Princeton commit, led the tournament in scoring with seven goals and tied for the points lead with nine. The other player at the top was Massachusetts Spitfires forward and Boston College commit Sarah Powers who also had nine points.
Minnesota Jr Whitecaps Win 16U Crown
The Minnesota Jr. Whitecaps Black defeated the Connecticut Polar Bears 3-1 in the final after both teams went undefeated until that point.
MacKenna Schlieman, who was strong all tournament, opened the scoring for Minnesota. The 15-year-old also plays for Breck School in Minnesota. Still in the second period, Hannah Rychley extended Minnesota's lead. Rychley, who plays for Forest Lakes High, tied for second in tournament scoring with 10 points in six games. Her Connecticut opponent Brooke Schlutter also had 10 points.
In the third period, Ashley Babbit gave Minnesota a three goal lead, with Claire Summerfield picking up her second assist of the game. Connecticut got one back late in the game from Quinn Toll, but it wasn't enough. Minnesota goalie Piper Tam made 19 saves in the win.
North York Storm forward Teagan Gloyns led the tournament in scoring with 11 points.
Another Minnesota Title In 14U Division
Leighton Kragness scored a hat trick for the Minnesota Jr. Whitecaps who an away with an all-Minnesota final beating the Minnesota Whitecaps Futures 6-1.
After Zoe Neurer scored the opening for the Futures, it was all Whitecaps. Avery Wagner tied the game in the first period before Kragness scored twice in the second, and a shorthanded marker to open the third. Audrey Lamantia and Kathryn Genia rounded out the scoring for the Whitecaps.
Kragness topped the tournament in scoring with 10 points in six games. Wagner tied for second with eight points along with Maddy Haydar of the Oakville Hornets and Molly Taylor of the Windy City Storm.