The Notre Dame Hounds celebrate their 2011 Esso Cup win.  (photo courtesy of hockeycanada.ca)

 

Moose Jaw's Olivia Howe and the Notre Dame Hounds are returning home National Champions today after capturing the 2011 Esso Cup over the weekend in St. Albert Alberta.

The Hounds got redemption in more ways then one with a 5-2 win over the Edmonton Thunder on Saturday.

After losing the National Title Game last season, the Hounds came back with a purpose and marched throught the Sask Female Midget AAA Hockey League, going 27-0-1 during the regular season, before caputring the league and regional titles.

"It was definitely a great year.  We only lost two games all year so Saturday just topped it all off and it's amazing," said Howe

Notre Dame was shocked in their tournament opener by the Thunder 3-2 in a shootout, but came back to win their next six straight.  "The reason we lost earlier in the tournament was it was our first game and we hadn't played in a few weeks," added Howe.  "After six games in the week we had our legs under us and we were ready to go."

The 17-year-old Moose Jaw product Howe led the tournament in scoring with nine goals and 19 points in seven games and was named the tournament's Top Forward.

"She came through game in and game out," said Hounds head coach Janice Rumpel.  "Some times we would have games where we couldn't find the back of the net, and she found the back of the net for us."

Howe gave all the credit to her teammates, "My line, we clicked very well this week and they help me a lot so I got to thank them too."

Howe says she'll take the next couple weeks off before concentrating on taking her game to the next level.