A full-package performance from a private ringette team that included multiple players from Airdrie led to a gold-medal showing in Canada's capital earlier this month.
The Alberta Sting, a U14A ringette squad that featured athletes from Airdrie, Chestermere, Strathmore and those municipalities' surrounding areas, went undefeated at the Ottawa Capital Classic from June 9 to 11.
A strong defence and goaltender in particular was the Sting's biggest advantage, as the Alberta squad only conceded seven goals in six games throughout the tournament.
“We had a very strong defence and a very linear offence compared to the other teams in the tournament,” said Drew McKnight, one of the team's co-coaches. “Every line could score on our team and that was very effective. The way the girls played was really selfless, I would say.”
After going unbeaten during the round robin, during which they outscored their opponents 19-3 in four games, the Sting continued their strong play in the semi-finals as they downed a team called the Wild Cards to seal their spot in the ensuing final.
Matched up with the tournament's only other unbeaten team in the gold-medal game – Les Rebelles, from Quebec – the Sting appeared to have their work cut out for them as Les Rebelles took an early two-goal lead in the first four minutes of the opening period.
However, McKnight said the girls responded admirably, not only clawing their way back into the game, but eventually taking a comfortable 5-2 lead. Though the Rebelles managed to score a third, he said the Albertans' strong defences were able to hold on for the win.
As a demonstration of the Sting's dominance, the tournament's statistics showed they had the top goalies and defensive team, and five of the tournament's 11 top offensive points-getters.
But apart from their goaltender, McKnight was hesitant to single out any one players' performances, reiterating that everyone on the Sting contributed to the team's success in their own way.
“They all did so well,” he said. “I think the goalie, Ali Mercer, did really well. She let in seven goals over six games. But overall, if you look at the team's statistics, they were scoring across the board and the defence was across the board, so I'd give props to them all,”
Overall, McKnight said he was proud of the girls for how they played, how much effort they put into the tournament, and how quickly they came together as a group.
“The team only had 10 practices and we played five exhibition games,” he said. “And then they went out there and they played so well and had a lot of fun.”
