Team Saskatchewan could almost taste a medal.
Rayna Hennie and Raela Packet of the Swift Current Innovation Federal Credit Union Wildcats helped their home province to a 4th place showing at the Hockey Canada U18 Women's National Championship in Quispamsis, New Brunswick last week.
They were 3-1 before dropping a 2-1 semifinal heartbreaker in a shootout against Quebec and falling 4-2 in a very tight battle with British Columbia for bronze.
"I'm just really proud of our team and I feel like we got better throughout the whole week," Packet said. "It was a tough way to end the tournament, and I feel like both teams were so deserving of the win. We'll come back next year."
Hennie was also impressed with their improvement throughout the week.
"I'm really proud of how our group came together as the whole week went on," Hennie said. "We definitely grew as a team and as a group... everyone definitely got better over the week... everyone just came together."
Packet had her first point of the tournament in the bronze medal game as her shot deflected in off a teammate for a huge goal.
"The puck popped out to me in the slot, and I decided to shoot a blocker side," she said. "My linemate (Kiah Shields) was going to the net hard and it went off of her chest and in the net."
Hennie also had an assist in the game and had a team leading 4 assists for the tournament.
"I really felt I could definitely keep up with this pace and show my skill set here," she noted. "Which definitely really helped to get those points... also the forwards getting those points and creating that offense for them, which really helped the team succeed."
Now the two skaters will return to the Wildcats in time for a game against first place Battlefords Stars on Saturday in Rosetown. They will bring some lessons from the tournament back to Swift Current.
"The pace was crazy, and I was glad I was able to play at this level," Packet said. "I can't wait to bring it back to my club team. I'm just a whole different player than I was a week ago. And I'm really excited to bring it back."
Ontario Red beat Quebec 1-0 to secure their seventh consecutive gold medal at U18 Women's Nationals.
This is the second time Saskatchewan has finished 4th in the event. Their best ever finish was a silver medal in 2019.