The journey of the As de Québec women’s team ended on Saturday night in the semi-finals of the Tournoi International de Hockey Pee-Wee de Québec. The 17 pioneers can take comfort in the fact that they will go down in history by being among the first to compete for the title in the new women’s category of the international competition.
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The Aces eventually lost 3-1 to the Lightning of Durham West, originally from Ontario. Despite the pain of defeat, they will keep an indelible memory of their time at the Videotron Center.
“Ever since I was little, I’ve dreamed of playing at Tournoi Pee-Wee de Québec,” said forward Laurianne Howe. I never thought that one day I would get there. It was truly an amazing experience. »
Even if her goal in the main enclosure of the “biggest tournament in the world” left a special mark on her, it is her team’s way to the semi-finals that the young girl will remember.
“I’m so happy with what we’ve all accomplished together. We showed the youngest that ice hockey is not just a boy’s sport. Girls are good too! »
The Aces head coach Isabelle Plouffe agrees. “You can be proud. They gave everything and I told my players that they have nothing to regret. We encountered a very strong team that, against all odds, did very well. »
ovation
The local team’s hard work was praised many times by the generous crowd at the Videotron Center during the three games they played there. Despite the unusual distractions, the hockey players responded with great maturity, according to Isabelle Plouffe.
“In the beginning we felt that seeing cameras, photographers and so many people was distracting. I think they handled the pressure and attention very well. She also asked her flock to salute the fans after the loss to thank them.
strong message
More than Saturday night’s heartbreaking result, it’s the fact that a Quebec team take the ice in an all-female division that will have set the mood. The head coach didn’t hide that she was jealous.
“I would definitely have liked to have had this opportunity. We were already talking about it when I saw women’s teams in the Pee Wee tournament. This is a huge step forward for hockey in general. »
Bianca Dussault, the mother of one of the Aces players, admits she experienced a whole range of emotions watching her 13-year-old daughter, Malia Thiboutot, jump on the ice rink at the Videotron Center.
“She told us when she was five that she wanted to play for the ‘Pee-Wee’ when she was older, as if it were the name of a team,” confides the Val-Bélair councillor. I knew there weren’t many ways for girls to access it before. I had goose bumps when I saw it finally come to fruition. »
She is also very proud that her daughter and her team are paving the way for generations to come. “They are an example for future generations,” says Ms. Dussault.