麻豆社区

Whitehorse native Angela Burke ended her university hockey career in style Saturday night.

The 22-year-old University of Lethbridge Pronghorns forward scored the only goal of the game against the Mount Royal Cougars in a 1-0 win in Lethbridge, Alta.

The game was the last of the season for both teams, as neither qualified for the playoffs.

Burke鈥檚 snipe was her first of the season. The 5-foot-4 winger鈥檚 goal came in front of her parents, Mike and Eileen Burke, who were in attendance as each of the Pronghorns senior players were honoured before the game.

鈥淚t was truly an amazing way to end my five-year CIS hockey career,鈥濃�圔urke said in an email to the Star. 鈥淢y last game as a Pronghorn couldn鈥檛 have turned out any better.鈥�

Burke鈥檚 power-play goal came on a rebound from a shot by teammate Chelsea Minor, who walked into the slot and fired a wrister at the pads of Mount Royal goalie Emma Pincott.

Parked in front of the net, Burke gathered the loose puck and buried it behind the keeper.

While the Yukoner provided the scoring, Burke鈥檚 close friend, goalie Crystal Patterson, turned aside 26 shots to preserve the win.

The two shared a special moment after Burke鈥檚 first-period tally.

鈥淎fter flying by the bench for my goal celebration, Patterson and I embraced in a hug that was worthy of Nick Foligno and Sergei Bobrovsky,鈥濃�圔urke said.

The two Columbus Blue Jackets players have become well-known for their celebratory embraces following their NHL club鈥檚 victories.

The Cougars peppered the net in the final minute of the third period, but were unable to beat Patterson.

Interim head coach Hailey Wood sent out all six graduating players 鈥� Sadie Lenstra, Courtney Minor, Chelsea Minor, Katie Mucha, Burke and Patterson 鈥� for the final minute to defend the Lethbridge net one last time.

Wood said Burke鈥檚 鈥渉ard work and resilient attitude鈥� rewarded her with the game-winning goal on Hockey Day in Canada.

The win gave the Pronghorns a final regular season record of 6-21-1.

Burke鈥檚 career in Lethbridge concludes after 100 regular season games and two playoff appearances in 2012.

She totalled two goals and five assists in her university career.

Burke briefly considered attempting to continue her hockey career in Europe, but instead hopes to attend law school this fall.

She also shared some encouragement for Team Yukon鈥檚 women鈥檚 hockey squad, currently 0-4 at the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George, B.C.

鈥淚 believe they are doing an amazing job representing the Yukon, both on and off the ice,鈥� Burke said.