Double gold for Rockyford

Times Reporter   

 

At the largest ringette tournament in the world, the Rockyford Ringers’ U16B and U19B both took home first during the Esso Golden Ring Tournament in Calgary from Jan. 17-19. The U19B squad was defending champion from last year’s competition, and is currently first in the Southern Alberta league.

“The team played excellent,” said U19B Coach Warren Kalbhen. “There was a lot of competition. We were definitely glad to win it.”

Eight teams were in the U19B pool; Rockyford defeated the South Calgary Legacy 11-4, Calgary North Nova 9-3, and tied the Drayton Valley Velocity 4-4 in round robin play.

“I think Drayton Valley had a good team, they were a good match for us for sure,” Kalbhen said.

After rolling through the semi finals, Rockyford defeated Calgary North Nova once again on Jan. 19 by a score of 8-3 for gold.

While the U19B squad was almost expected to win, the U16B team was a true fairytale, as five of their players were not even of age.

“We’re just bringing kids up to make a team,” Kevin Elder said, one of the U16B coaches. “It was really good. We certainly didn’t expect it. In our league play, we’re probably middle of the pack. There are couple of teams that have basically been undefeated all year, and we ended up beating them.”

In a pool of 12 teams, the U16B Ringers defeated South Calgary Conquest 13-7, Medicine Hat 8-1, and Calgary North Potencia 7-1. Winning their quarter-final and their semi final gave the U16B hope for the final against the Lethbridge Boom. They won on Jan. 19 by a score of 7-4.

“I don’t know where it came from,” Elder said. “They just stepped up their game. You can rant and rave and talk all you want, but unless the kids decide themselves – they get all the credit.”

Elder’s team have provincials come the middle of March, but need to qualify for the playoffs first. The U19B team will be hosting their provincials at the end of March in Rockyford.