The Moose Jaw Bantam Mavericks fell just short in the provincial final over the weekend, but that doesn't diminish the incredible success that they had this season.

The Mavericks were swept by the Northwest Sharks in two games in the Saskatchewan Female Hockey League’s championship series, but those were two of their only three losses this season, all coming in the post-season.

"We had a real fun season, just a great group of girls and a great group of parents, and really that's what it's all about in the end," said Mavericks head coach Stephen Gauvin. "We came up a little short, but we were up against a real good team and the girls gave everything that they had, so that's all that you can ask for."

Moose Jaw won the South Division Title, rolling through the playoffs with a 6-1 record before dropping Game 1 to the Sharks, 4-3, in a double-overtime game and losing 3-0 in Game 2.

Two of the Mavericks' three losses in the playoffs came in double overtime.

"They showed so much hard, resilience and grit, which was really fun to watch," said Gauvin. "At that point, there's not a whole lot that the coaches can do except send them out there and they do the rest. 

"They were a special group, that's for sure."

The Moose Jaw Bantam Mavericks celebrated a goal at the Red Knight Arena this season. (Photo: Marc Smith)

The Mavericks went 22-0 during the regular season and finished with a 28-3 record overall. 

Moose Jaw eliminated the Estevan Bearcats in two games in the first round and swept the Balcarres Barracudas in the second round. The Mavericks would need three games to edge the Parkland Fire to win the South Division Championship.

Gauvin said that they were playing well right from the start of the season and continued to find ways to improve.

"They work hard in practice, they attend practice, they're very coachable, they buy into what we're trying to teach them from a team-system standpoint and as a result, they were successful and that all comes with efforts from every single girl," Gauvin said.

"Very proud of the season, really happy for the girls and they should be proud as well."

Mavericks captain Sidney Ellingson finished second the league in scoring during the regular season with 22 goals and 47 points, while Nikita Halyk was sixth with 26 goals and 44 points, and Janelle Evans finished with 26 goals and 36 points to come in eighth in the league in scoring.

The Mavericks will have six players taking part in the SaskFirst Under-16 Tournament in Regina next week. Click here for more details.