The last team has been confirmed for the Esso Cup, starting Sunday at Morden, Man.
The Harfangs du Triolet (Quebec) of Sherbrooke joins the St. Albert Slash (Pacific), Prince Albert Bears (West), Mid Isle Wildcats (Atlantic) of Summerside P.E.I., Durham West Lightning (Ontario) and the host Pembina Valley Hawks at the ninth annual midget AAA female national championship.
The Slash qualified for their second Esso Cup but first as the Pacific region reps after sweeping the Greater Vancouver Comets by scores of 2-0 and 3-2 in the best-of-three series.
The Slash hosted the 2011 nationals when the St. Albert Raiders Hockey Club team competed in the Alberta Major Midget Female Hockey League and finished fifth.
This season the Slash placed first in the inaugural Alberta Major Midget Female Hockey League at 27-2-1 (119 GF/44 GA) and at the AFHL provincials defeated the Rocky Mountain Raiders, last year's AMMFHL champions and Esso Cup bronze medallists, 2-0 in the final while going 2-2 overall.
The Slash also posted a 9-1 record at the Two Nations College Prep Series tournaments in Detroit and Brampton, Ont.
The Esso Cup round robin format ends with the April 28 semifinals and April 29 medal finals.
Visit www.hockeycanada.ca for more information.
Metro Edmonton high school rugby kicks off today, weather permitting, for the Bellerose Bulldogs and Paul Kane Blues.
The division one women's match between Bellerose and the Bev Facey Falcons, winners of five consecutive league championships, starts at 4:30 p.m. at Riel Recreation Park.
Paul Kane and Facey scrum down in division two pool A men's action at 4:45 p.m. at Clareview turf field.
Thursday the Sturgeon Spirits, last year's division two finalists, and Salisbury Sabres ruck and maul in the pool A fixtures at 4:45 p.m. at Pirates Rugby Club.
Meanwhile, the Gareth Jones Cup high school men's match between Paul Kane and Bellerose is May 3 at 4:45 p.m. at St. Albert Rugby Football Club.
The St. Albert Gymnastics Club hosts its Spring Flip Invitational this weekend at the Riel Drive facility.
The competition features Junior Olympic level one to seven athletes from 14 clubs, including SAGC and Dynamyx of St. Albert.
Sessions run Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Sunday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Admission is $7 for 12 and over and $5 for six- to 11-year-olds.
