Samantha Boutin is one of two Alberta female hockey players selected to attend the 2017 International Ice Hockey Federation's Global Game this weekend in Toronto.
Boutin, 14, is a forward with the bantam A St. Albert Blades and attends Grade 9 at W.D. Cuts School.
The Global Game focuses on uniting female players across the globe through the sport in one continuous game.
The philosophy behind the event embodies the spirit of enjoyment, teamwork and collaborating with those from diverse backgrounds.
The Global Game will be played in 28 counties today before Canada plays the final segment Sunday.
A cumulative score is kept across all 28 counties between Team White and Team Blue with a winner declared after the Canadian portion of the game.
The two Canadian teams are made up of participants from the 10 Hockey Canada branches and Hockey Alberta was allowed to send one forward and one netminder.
Boutin and netminder Jasmine Rodak of the bantam A Calgary Hawks were selected from more than 25 Alberta applicants to attend the Global Game.
Applicants had to be bantam-age players and registered to a bantam A or B level team in Alberta for the 2016/17 season. Players filled out a questionnaire form and provided a reference letter from their coach.
The season is on the line for the St. Albert Gregg Distributors Sabres in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League playoffs.
The deciding game in the best-of-three series between the Sabres (31-1-4) and Sherwood Park Flyers (13-18-5) goes today at 4:15 p.m. at Akinsdale Arena.
The Nitro north division semifinal is even at one game apiece after Thursday's 4-3 overtime win by the Flyers in Sherwood Park.
Brendan Kuny scored the winner with only seconds remaining in the 10-minute extra period after the Flyers knotted the count at three with under three minutes left in regulation time.
Ethan Leyer, Ryley Morgan and Ethan Whillans connected for the Sabres and Austin Spiridakis added two assists.
The Sabres outshot the Flyers 8-6 in overtime and 55-24 overall. The netminders were Luke Cameron of the Flyers and Ethan Barwick of the Sabres.
The playoff opener was Wednesday's 5-2 decision by the Sabres in St. Albert.
Leyer tallied twice and Ethan Edwards and Matt Savoie capitalized on the power play.
Morgan also scored and Marc Lajoie and Carter Savoie picked up two assists apiece.
Shots were 37-23 for the Sabres and Barwick was in net.
The series winner will play the Maple Leafs (13-16-7) in the best-of-three division final.
The St. Albert Flyers are looking to put two wins together and losing two in a row when they visit the Sherwood Park Squires today in the Alberta Minor Midget AAA Hockey League.
Puck drop is 3:45 p.m.
The Flyers (30-3-1, 189 GF/50 GA) and Squires (24-6-4, 153 GF/73 GA) are the top teams in the north division with three games remaining in the midget 15 league before the Sutter North Cup provincial qualifier March 9 to 12 at the Terwillegar and Callingwood arenas. Two teams will advance to the March 22 to 26 provincials in Grande Prairie.
The Lethbridge Hurricanes (24-1-6, 165 GF/47 GA) are the south division leaders.
The Flyers started off the season with 21 consecutive victories before the 2-2 draw with the Squires (24-6-4) Dec. 20 in St. Albert.
Last weekend the Flyers lost two straight by scores of 3-2 to the PAC Saints (23-10) in Stony Plain and 4-2 to the KC Centennials (22-9-2) at Akinsdale Arena before defeating the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers 5-2 Tuesday.
Cam Aucoin potted a pair during a four-point night.
Stuart Dovey recorded his team-high 30th goal and added two assists.
Erik Boers and Kyle Lawrence also scored as the Flyers racked up 64 shots.
Ryley Osland (16-2-1, 1.69 GAA) was tested 22 times by the Rangers (6-24-3) in St. Albert.
