Brandon wins gold, bronze in WRL playoffs

The Brandon Ringette Association achieved a new milestone on Saturday as the U12 Brandon Blizzards became the first BRA team to win a Winnipeg Ringette League championship.

The U14 Blizzards were also medal winners in the WRL playoffs, earning bronze on Friday.

The U12 Blizzards capped a perfect record in the playoffs by defeating the Selkirk Stingers 10-4 in the A4 division final. Brandon goalie Lauren Leslie held off an early push by the Stingers, and the Blizzards built momentum by scoring five times in the final 8:13 of the first period.

Ainsley Speirs and Gracie Blatherwick both scored three times for the Blizzards. Bella Penner added two goals for Brandon, with Jordan Will and Caitlyn Erickson scoring one goal apiece.

On Friday, Brandon finished third among the 12 teams in the U14B division, falling 9-5 to the Steinbach Panthers in the semifinal game. Yelana Jaffray scored twice for the Blizzards, with Lauren Hallson, Alyssa Newitt and Erin Remillard adding singles.

This is the third season that BRA teams have played in the WRL and the second year that Brandon teams have taken part in the playoffs.

The U14 and the U16 Blizzards, who narrowly missed out on a medal by finishing fourth in the WRL playoffs, are now preparing for the Ringette Manitoba provincials this week in Winnipeg.

(Submitted Story)