Zapped at provincials

Tyler Lowey
Times Reporter

 

The Zone 2 16AA ringette team had visions of provincial medals heading into action Feb. 24 at the Great Plains Arena in Calgary, but left empty handed.
“I think we were all expecting to medal,” said Strathmore product Grace Olson. “We were short a couple players early in the tournament, and that might have cost us a chance at playing for a medal, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.”
Zone 2 opened the tournament with a 6-0 blanking of the Sherwood Park Power Feb. 24, but ran into trouble over the next 24 hours.
They were clipped by the St. Albert Mission 4-1 later that day and were doubled up by their rival, the Calgary Impact, 4-2 Feb. 25, knocking them out of medal contention.
“Our girls played well, they’re a little disappoint to not walk away with a medal, but they ended up with the lowest goals against average, and that’s something they can build off of as they get ready for nationals later this month,” said assistant coach Ronda Olson.
Zone 2 travelled to Ottawa at the beginning of February, as a way for more exposure against some of the better competition across Canada in preparation for nationals.
Nationals run in Leduc March 27 – April 1.
The Zone 2 squad closed out the tournament strong, with an 11-2 over the Edmonton Elite Feb. 25 and crunched the Power for a second time in the tourney, this time, 6-1, to finish fifth.
“Playing these teams and the teams in Ottawa, showed us that the girls are capable of beating any team we might run into at nationals,” said Ronda.
Strathmore is represented well on Zone 2. Hailey Kenney, Daylen Wathen, Jewlyn Foat, Elizabeth Proust and Olson were all key contributors at provincials.
In the meantime, Zone 2 plans on getting back to dry land training before playing a few exhibition matches prior to nationals.