Bears in a 2-0 final series hole; shutout by Stars 3-0

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“I thought we won that third period, so that’s going to carry over to Game 3.”

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Sophia Shirley has been an absolute monster for the Stars, averaging three points per game in the playoffs with 24 points (12 goals) in eight playoff games. The 15-year-old was also named the Hayley Wickenheiser Most Valuable Player of the year award by the SFMAAAHL earlier on Sunday.

Shirley lived up to that billing on Sunday by getting in on all three of the Stars’ goals– scoring two and assisting on the other. Shirley, the younger sister of Kamloops Blazers forward Collin Shirley, scored the game’s first goal on a breakaway after intercepting a pass in the neutral zone, before setting up Julia Rongve’s power play goal in the first period. She then extended the Stars’ lead to 3-0 by picking up a loose puck in a goal mouth scramble in the second.

“You gotta be aware when she’s out there,” said Willoughby. “She stays away from the traffic, she’ll find the loose ice… We have to stay close to her and take her time and space away.

“I think we’ll be fine, we’ve looked after the rest of their offence.”

The Bears have outshot the Stars in both games, but have nothing to show for it. The Bears outshot the Stars 35-22 on Sunday but didn’t come away with a goal as Emma Johnson pitched a solid 35-save shutout. In Saturday’s 3-2 double overtime loss, the Bears had a 38-33 shot advantage.

But Willoughby is a strong believer of getting traffic to the net and burying rebounds, one of the more effective ways to score goals at the Female Midget AAA level.

“I don’t mind a shot ever, a shot is always a chance but we know in this league, we know it’s the second and third (shots) that go in most of the time,” said Willoughby. “We just need more second and third shots to be quality ones.”

League awards

A pair of Bears were recognized by the SFMAAAHL in their annual awards, which were released on Sunday. Brooke Hobson received the Top Defenceman award, while Jessica Vance picked up the Top Goalie award.

Shirley wasn’t the only Star to receive an award. Her linemate Nara Elia was presented with a couple, the Top Scorer and Most Sportsmanlike Player. Stars coach Greg Slobodzian picked up one of the two Top Coach awards, the other went to Weyburn Gold Wings bench boss Chad Kish.

Also receiving awards were Regina Rebels’ Kennedy Bobyck for Top Rookie and Andie Wilyman for Top Scholastic Player. Cianna Lieffers got the Top Official award and Lisa Kirkwood picked up the Volunteer Award.

Final series sked

Game 3 will be on Wednesday at the Agriplace Arena in Saskatoon at 7:15 p.m. If the Bears can win that, they’ll force a Game 4 on Thursday at the Art Hauser Centre at 7 p.m.. If necessary, Game 5 is slated for Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Agriplace Arena.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea