Strathmore Rockies finish off home games
Amy Gregson – Times Reporter
It was a nail-biting finish in the Strathmore Rockies final home game Feb. 27 against the Edmonton Chimos.
The game was tied at one going into overtime and the extra time wasn’t enough for a winner to emerge.
A shootout was needed and every player on the Rockies bench was called upon, but they ended up falling short on the 12th shot when Samantha Holmes missed the net while the Chimos made it past goalie Amanda Tapp.
“Unfortunately we came out with a loss, but it was an exciting game,” said captain Kaley Herman.
The night was special because it was EnCana’s Rock The Rink event to celebrate the Rockies season.
Encana Vice-President of Government Relations and Regulatory Richard Dunn said they put on the event to support the Strathmore Rockies along with showing their support for minor and female hockey in the rural areas.
“The girls are good athletes and it seemed like the right thing to do to have a community party with the ladies hockey team,” said Dunn.
Fans and spectators filled the stands to watch the game and were treated to some entertainment before and during the game.
“It was really exciting we had a lot of fans in the stands so that was nice to see them come out and support us,” said Herman.
A complimentary dinner was held prior to the game for fans, who were given thunder sticks to cheer on the team during the game.
Encana also presented the Strathmore Rockies with a $40,000 check prior to face-off.
“It’s awesome to see a big company support not only us but the community here in Strathmore,” said Herman. “It’s really good to see people behind us.”
During the first intermission dignitaries from the Strathmore area, including MLA Arno Doerksen and Ken Sauve from Wheatland County, went up against employees from EnCana in a shootout for charity.
The Keister Family Fiddlers entertained the crowd between periods two and three with their music.
The Strathmore Rockies still have two games left to play March 6 and 7 in Edmonton against the Chimos.
With only three teams in the Western Women’s Hockey League there are no playoffs this year and the league championship was awarded to the Minnesota Whitecaps, who clinched first place in the league standings.
As of their last home game, the team has a record of four wins and six losses.
Herman said the team was off to a slow start, but the team came together with a win before Christmas against Minnesota in Strathmore and then a win when they visited the Whitecaps in their hometown after Christmas.
“After those two series there we started to come together as a team and played a little bit better,” said Herman.