BURNABY, B.C. - The LHFDQ Nord scored three goals in 75 seconds in the third period to erase a 2-0 deficit and beat the North Bay Ice Boltz 5-2 Saturday night to win the Esso Cup.

Eve-Audrey Picard had a goal and an assist as LHFDQ Nord won their first Canadian national women's midget hockey championship. Audrey Belzile, Roxane Daley, Alexe Drouin and Katia Boulianne also scored Nord goals.

Kaitlyn McManus and Corie Jacobson scored for North Bay.

The Nord looked to be on the ropes when Jacobson made it 2-0 early in the third period. The Quebec team found life when Belzile scored at 3:47. The Nord bench was still celebrating when Daley tied the game at 4:02. Boulianne put the Nord ahead at 5:42.

Picard made it 4-2 at 9:14 and Drouin added an empty-netter.

McManus opened the scoring early in the first period when her innocent looking shot floated past Nord goaltender Valerie Lamenta. While the Ice Boltz celebrated one of Lamenta's teammates gave her a tap on the goal pads for encouragement.

Nord forward Danae Guay left the game in the second period after being injured in a collision along the boards.

The LHFDQ Nord had a 3-2 record in the preliminary round of the five-team tournament, played at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre. North Bay was 3-1-1. It was the first time either team had competed in the Esso Cup.

Earlier, Elizabeth Salyn scored the lone goal midway through the third period as the Edmonton Thunder defeated the Regina Rebels 1-0 to win the bronze medal.

Players from North Bay and LHFDQ dominated the tournament awards.

North Bay's Sabrina Picard was the top goaltender while her teammate Jacobson was best defenceman.

The Nord's Jade Downie-Landry was best forward while Valerie Audet was the top scorer with four goals and eight assists for 12 points heading into the final game.

Mikaeli Cavell of the Edmonton Thunder was tournament most valuable player while Jodie Gentile of the host Fraser Valley Phantoms was most sportsmanlike.

The Nord advanced to the final with a 6-3 win over Regina Friday while the Ice Boltz defeated Edmonton 5-1.

The Nord defeated North Bay 3-1 during the preliminary round.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2013