On the way to gold, the WIC Cougars were close to perfect.
The Cougars, a bantam female rep team from the Prince George Minor Hockey Association, skated to a 5-0 record and a tournament championship at a weekend event in Kamloops. In Sunday's title game, the Cats defeated the Tri-Cities Predators 3-1.
"We were very proud of the girls," said head coach Grant Zimmerman, whose staff includes Judy Young, John McMillan and team manager Mabel Lloyd. "They really came together well as a team, which led to our success. We had really balanced scoring and tremendous defence and goaltending."
In the five games, the Cougars -- anchored by lone goalie Olivia Johnson -- surrendered just seven goals.
In the final, the Cats kept the Predators off the scoreboard until half way through the third period.
"We had control," Zimmerman said. "I think we dominated the game but they had some good scoring opportunities and our goaltending was fabulous and our D were right there to cover any rebounds."
Offensively, the Cougars took advantage of their own chances and got goals from Mya Ziemer, McKenzie Muir and Jordan McMillan.
The 13- and 14-year-old Cougars started the tournament with a 4-2 win against the Predators. In their other games, they beat Kelowna 4-0, edged Vernon 3-2 and, in the semifinals, defeated Williams Lake 4-2.
Muir finished the weekend with eight goals.
Other team members are Kenna Lloyd, Isabel Zimmerman, Victoria Johnston, Sophie Davis, Katie Young, Ciara King, Megan Goetken, Alexa Mocilac, Jordan Shanks and Kenna Derkson.
This was the third tournament of the season for the Cougars and their first victory.
"We competed well [in the others] but certainly weren't as successful," Grant Zimmerman said. "So this was a big win for us."
The next tournament for the Cougars is their own, Jan. 10-12 at the Kin Centre.
