Brooklyn Platt scored what would be the game-winner off a turnover 7:52 into the second period as the Pembina Valley Hawks defeated the Ontario representative the Durham West Lightning 4-1 at the 2017 Esso Cup National Female "AAA" Female Midget Hockey Championship in Morden.

"(Makenzie) McCallum just chucked it out to me there. I was going to shoot, but the last time the goalie faced a shot, she played it well. I just thought I might as well try and deke her out and that's what I did," said Platt. "It worked out pretty good."

With the win, the Hawks improved their record at the Esso Cup to 2 and 1.

"It's very exciting to have the win in front of the home crowd and all the support from them, it was just exciting to get that win under our belts," said Pembina Valley forward Hannah Petrie.

Pembina Valley would get on the board first when Makenzie McCallum came into the Lightning zone, took a shot, and tapped home a loose puck that squirted out behind Durham West's goaltender Victoria Kelaiditis, for her first of the tournament. Platt and Mackenzie Hutchinson picked up the assists on the Hawks first goal. 

In the middle frame, both teams would find the back of the net once.

The Hawks goal was a result of a turnover which McCallum caused and then was able to find Platt in the slot with all kinds of time, where she made no mistake with a forehand-backhand move to suck the goalie out of position and put the puck into the open 4x6 cage.

Mackenzie MacDonald had the lone goal for Durham with roughly a minute and a half left in the second.

Pembina Valley alternate captain Katelyn Heppner would add an insurance marker 3:09 into the third. After a terrific defensive play to eliminate a scoring opportunity, Heppner jumped up in the rush and placed a beautiful backhand short-side. Alyssa Alderson drew the lone helper on the Hawks third goal. With very little time remaining on Kennedy Ward's hooking penalty, the Hawks would capitalize again to make it 4-1. Petrie got a stick on a point shot from Kenzie Heide, which found some twine. 

It was a bit of a slower night for Pembina Valley goaltender Halle Oswald who turned away 20 of the 21 shots she faced en route to the win. Meanwhile, Kelaiditis kicked out 25 of the 29 shots the Hawks fired her way. 

It was a good rebound game for Pembina Valley, who was coming off a tough 2-1 loss to the Pacific representative St. Albert Slash (3-0).

"It's huge, knowing that we can come back after a loss and win," said McCallum. "It will be crucial in the coming games."

In other Esso Cup action the West representative Prince Albert Bears (1-2) defeated the Atlantic representative the Mid-Isle Wildcats (0-3) 6-1 and Pacific, St. Albert Slash (3-0) edged the Quebec reps, Harfangs Du Triolet (2-1) 4-3. 

Up next for the Manitoba Female Midget Hockey League champion Pembina Valley Hawks is the 2-1 Harfangs. Game time at the Huron Window Arena is 7:00 p.m.