By Hockey Canada

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. – Long-time defending national champions Ontario Red is one step closer to reclaiming gold.

The team to beat topped Saskatchewan 4-0 on Friday, with Camille Leonard (Oakville, Ont.) earning the shutout and Hanna Bunton stepping up with a goal and an assist to help Ontario Red to the impressive win in front of a cheering EnCana Events Centre.

Although Saskatchewan showed determination and grit on the ice throughout the second, Bunton was able to find the back of the Prairie province’s net at 15:33 in the period on an assist from blueliner Mikaela Lowater (Thornhill, Ont.). Ontario Red kept up the momentum into the second, and took full advantage when a Saskatchewan player was sent to the box midway through the period, with Sarah Nurse (Hamilton, Ont.) feeding Bunton, who got the puck to defenceman Breanne Grant (Liskeard, Ont.) for a shot and another goal to make it 2-0 going into the second intermission.

And the third was all about Ontario Red.

Saskatchewan scrambled for the comeback in the third, but Ontario Red quickly sealed the deal, with Grant assisting Sydney McKibbon (Oakville, Ont.) at 2:45 in the period to make it 3-0, and Grant assisting yet another goal at 14:19 to help Hayley Masters (Shanty Bay, Ont.) cap it off at 4-0 on another power-play. Perhaps Saskatchewan could have kept the score closer with fewer penalties, but either way Ontario Red showed it has a golden national reputation to uphold.