The Pembina Valley Hawks put forth a valiant effort in the third period, but the Quebec representative Harfang Du Triolet skated away with a 1-0 shutout win. 

"It was a tough game. The girls game out hard, but our biggest challenge was getting that puck to the net. We got outshot, but we definitely have to come back tomorrow and shake this one off," said Hawks alternate captain Sage McElroy-Scott.

Pembina Valley had a bit of a slow start and were outshot 17-5 in the opening period and outscored 1-0. Nelly Lapointe was able to beat Hawks goaltender Halle Oswald just 1:49 into the game to put the Quebec team in the lead.

This first-period tally was the only goal of the game as the two teams played the final 58:11 of the game without finding the back of the net. 

Even though the Hawk weren't able to score, their crowd never left their side with multiple "GO HAWKS GO" chants encouraging the girls as the continued to push for the game tieing goal.

"Our crowd has been great. We have received so much support from every business in Morden and surrounding area," said Hawks alternate captain Alyssa Alderson. "It's just been awesome to come out here and hear the fans cheering."

For the third time in four games the Hawks were outshot, this time the Harfangs outshot Pembina Valley 32-24. In the four games the Hawks have played at the 2017 Esso Cup National Female "AAA" Midget Hockey Championship they've been outshot 140-104.

Oswald made 31 saves in the loss, while Michelle Thibault stymied the Hawks, stopping all 29 shots she faced.

The Hawks are now 2-2 at the Esso Cup, but both of their losses have only come with a one goal deficit. 

"I think it's definitely boosting our confidence knowing that we can keep up with other teams. I think it's improving out play," said Hawks defence Kenzie Heide. "I think we are just struggling to get the puck to the net. Our speed is there, but we are just lacking on shots right now."

Elsewhere at the Esso Cup the Pacific representative St. Albert Slash (4-0) shut out the West representative Prince Albert Bears (1-3) 4-0, and the Ontario representative Durham West Lightning (2-2) defeated the Atlantic representative Mid-Isle Wildcats (0-4) 8-1.

With the loss, Pembina Valley failed to secure themselves a berth in the semifinals but will have another shot to do so in their final preliminary round game Thursday when they play the winless Wild Cats at 7:00 p.m.