Taking gold at home

By John Watson Local Journalism initiative Reporter

Strathmore’s U19 ringette team took home the gold within their division during the Laurie Morton Ruppe memorial tournament at the end of January. 

The team’s head coach, Kim Stanlake-Cammer, said it was the third tournament the girls have competed in this season and also was their third gold medal run.

“It felt really good. It’s been two years since we’ve been able to have our home tournament, so I know the girls were really excited to play and I know they wanted to do well. They played incredibly all weekend. I was really proud of them,” said Stanlake-Cammer. “I think they had a lot of energy all weekend and they were really good at being positive and supporting each other on the bench and on the ice.”

Stanlake-Cammer added one of her goals is to keep her girls playing consistently – something they have been able to demonstrate well in the regular season, as well as in their tournament play. 

Strathmore’s U19 ringette team has so far made a perfect run of tournaments this season, going undefeated in each series, and is also currently sitting third place in their regular league.

Stanlake-Cammer was unable to recall the last time a Strathmore team successfully made a perfect tournament run throughout their play season.

“It’s a little rare for any team, I think, to be honest, to have a perfect record in tournaments. We don’t let it go to our heads, but at the same time, I think it’s something for the girls to be really proud of,” she said. “I think now the focus is for them to keep that consistency and finish strong. We have a few league games left and then our focus is going to be on play downs to try to make it to provincials.”

According to Stanlake-Cammer, Strathmore’s team is very defensively and discipline-focused. The team currently boasts the least amount of penalty time in the league. This, however, does not mean they lack offence. 

“They really came together as a team, they’ve done such a great job of supporting each other and being positive teammates for each other,” said Stanlake-Cammer.

The provincial tournament will take place at the end of March, in which the top teams from each division will be allowed to compete. 

Stanlake-Cammer hopes her team will maintain their position as the season wraps up and provincials loom just around the corner.