2006/2007 Quesnel Ringette Association News
September 1-4, 2006
Quesnel Ringette Association Icebreaker Ringette Camp
The Quesnel Ringette Association held its second consecutive ringette camp to start the ringette season and it was a great way to start the 2005-2006 ringette season for those who participated. This year the Quesnel Ringette Association worked together with Ringette Review and Jody Black to host the event, bringing in participants
 aged 6 to 17 years and from various communities in central B.C. Participants were provided practise and game ice time, with additional clinics on mental training, fitness, nutrition, shooting, goal tending and team building. Sessions on core conditioning, power skating and dance were provided. A special thanks to the Quesnel Hockey Academy (Darryl Gagnon), Jo-Ann
 Nadalin, C. Grovum for there assistance in instruction in this years camp. A special thanks to A. Cronin and A. Kerr for the long hours that they put into the camp. Given the feedback provided by the participants, the Quesnel Ringette Association is currently planning on holding a similar camp in 2007. Please watch the website for further updates on this event.
 Stick play
Rachel Stern - Cariboo Observer
Quesnel ringette teams came away with eight victories in their first tournament of the season in Terrace.
The Petite A team defeated all three of their opponents. Petite C team lost all their games.
The novice team won against Houston 9-4 and Prince George 10-5.
They lost to Terrace 4-3. Tweens won 7-1 against Terrace and 9-2 against Houston and lost 7-5 against Prince George.
Juniors lost to Terrace 7-4. They had a split in their two games against Houston, winning one 5-3 and losing the other 4-2.
Ringette teams head to the Joy Hoffman Tournament in Prince George Nov. 10-12.
Junior A's notch three wins at tourney
By RACHEL STERN-Observer Reporter-Nov 19 2006
Junior A ringette goalie Megan Mallett stood in the net blocking ring after ring at the Joy Hoffman Memorial Ringette Tournament last weekend in Prince George. The combined effort of Mallett and the rest of the team ensured an undefeated record, with wins against Tween All-Stars 9-2, Prince George 7-2 and Terrace 6-5. Junior A's were one of eight Quesnel teams at the tournament. "The team played very well in their first tournament, they were very focused," Junior A coach Rodney Browning said. "Our goaltender played sensational as did everyone. As games got tougher - they got tougher - they played gutsy."
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| When Mallett is in the net, she tries to determine what kind of player is approaching. "If I know they're a hard shot, I might get a little nervous. If they're an easy one, I get an adrenaline rush and just get ready for it," Mallett said. This is her first year of junior A. "It's quite exciting at this different level. The shot clock is a lot faster," Mallett Browning said Mallett stayed focused the whole tournament and she blocked several shots against Terrace. Rodney said beating Terrace was a highlight of the tourney because Terrace is a large team. Junior A's used their free shots in the defensive zone to their advantage, scoring two goals against Terrace, Browning said.
Petite C players defeated Houston 7-6 and Terrace 7-6 but lost 6-1 to Prince George. "The girls made flawless passing and execution of plays, just like book work," Petite C coach Carrie Chard said. "It's a huge improvement since the beginning of the season." Chard said the three goalies Regan Richert, Katie Berg and Jessica Lucas played well. "They were outstanding all weekend. All three of them share the position. There was outstanding goaltending by Regan, the smallest player on the team, but she played big," Chard said. "The team played well supporting each other and helping each other." Chard has been working on skating, passing and perfecting basic skills with the team in practices. Chard has noticed the team's gotten better.
Junior B team didn't come away with any victories from the tournament. "We were not as successful as we hoped to be. We lost all three games," junior B coach Carrie Blennerhassett said. Junior B's team struggles with their netminder situation. They don't have a set goalie so players rotate the position. "The girls are stepping up and taking turns. At the junior level you don't have a set goalie it's pretty tough," Blennerhassett said. In their first game, junior B faced off against Terrace. "The Terrace team kicked them pretty hard but the next two games we lost, but they were close," Blennerhassett said. Blennerhassett will work on passing and supporting the goalie in practices. "Passing is something everybody needs to work on forever," Blennerhassett said. "They're a good group of girls who have the potential to be awesome. The confidence is there they just need to find it."
Quesnel Ladies (Babes on Blades) defeated Prince George 3-2, 4-2 and 3-2. Both Blennerhassett and Chard are defensive players on the team. "We're the daring duo on the defensive core," Chard said. The team has several returning players but also some new faces. "We have three rookies who are new to the sport, have never skated and never played," Chard said. The Quesnel tween B defeated Houston and Terrace and lost to Prince George.
The Tween C team lost all three of their games.
The Petite A team won three games and the novice team went 1-2, while the bunnies finished with a 2-2 record.
Seven Quesnel junior players are competing with the northern AA team at the Platinum Ring Tournament at Sherwood Park, Alta., this weekend. Nov. 19-25 is Ringette week in Canada.
For information on ringette contact Quesnel's Ringette Association, 992-9400.
Going the distance Hayley Fentiman travels 428 km to play ringette
By RACHEL STERN
Observer Reporter Jan 03 2007
Rachel Stern photo
Hayley Fentiman smiles on the sidelines before she begins her tween practice. For some individuals, a sport consumes them with such passion they will go any distance to compete. Twelve-year-old ringette player Hayley Fentiman from 100 Mile House is one of those people, but her passion isn't the only thing driving her.
Fentiman's father Evan sits behind the wheel and chauffeurs her the 214 kilometres from 100 Mile House to Quesnel Tuesday and Saturday for practices. It's a 428-km round trip. She desperately wanted to play ringette and we didn't have it in 100 Mile House, Evan said. My passion is ringette,Hayley added. But the drive from 100 Mile House to Quesnel is nothing compared to the drive the Fentimans took when they first moved to 100 Mile House. There isn't a ringette association in 100 Mile House. Hayley wanted to continue competing and she did for four games last year with her old team in Coquitlam. Her parents drove her to the coast to compete. She played four regular games last year. We talked about it and said that's probably the last year she can play, Evan said. I know she wanted to play and this is the only year she can play on the B.C. Northern Winter Games team.
Hayley attended Quesnel Ringette Associations camp and her parents talked to Quesnel parents to get a feel for the organization. After the camp they decided Hayley could join the organization and their weekly drive along Highway 97 began. I have a great admiration for her parents, Hayley's tween ringette coach Stan Menduk said. They split the drive. My hat goes off to them for their dedication.While Hayley and her family are dedicated to ringette, the long drive allows her to dedicate time to her academic and family life. She completes her homework on the long trek. Her father Evan said the drive also gives them a chance to discuss issues and bond. I'm one of only two first-year tweens to play on the team, she said. Hayley was thrilled to make the team and her excitement mounted when she tried out for and made the Quesnel, Prince George, Houston, Terrace combined AA team. It was a bit of a surprise, she said. I've never been picked to be on an AA team ever. As a first year (tween) player I didn't think I'd make it.
Hayley didn't always love ringette. The first bunny season I wanted to quit, Hayley said. After Christmas I learned how to skate and it was a great experience. Hayley has high goals when it comes to ringette she wants to join the Canadian National ringette team like her idol Lisa Brown. Brown was a Team Canada centre for a decade from 1990-2000 and a nine-time national champion. She's the youngest captain that ever played, Hayley said. She's like the Wayne Gretzky of ringette, Evan added. She brings up people when they're down, Hayley said. Hayley remembers reading a story about Brown on the internet. The team was playing and was down five points with only three minutes left. The whole team doubted they could win it and Lisa Brown went out and scored three goals, Hayley said. She always has a positive attitude. Hayley wants to join the National Canadian Team like Brown and play in Finland and other countries around the world. It would be fun to travel and do something you love at the same time, Hayley said.
Hayley proved she'll go any distance to play ringette and in one game she showed she'll continue playing despite personal pain. We were at a tournament and I was playing with a broken finger, she said. Hayley knew she was in pain, but didn't know she fractured her finger until the game was over and they went to the hospital. She played the whole game with it, Evan said. I didn't understand why she kept dragging her skate and scooping ice and stuffing it in her glove or why she came off the ice so slow. Hayley's coach said she's a positive person and gives a lot of attention and focus in practice. She's still young and if she gets greater experience there is no reason she can't pursue her dreams and hopefully achieve them, Menduk said. To make the Canadian team she'll have to hop out of a little pond and go somewhere bigger with a larger centre to get more experience. Evan said that they love to watch Hayley play ringette and Quesnel's ringette association has given them a warm welcome.
Cariboo Ford Petite A - Fraser Valley Tournament
By RACHEL STERN
Observer Reporter
Cariboo Ford Petite A ringette’s gold title glistened in their victory light Tuesday. Petites returned from a tournament in Langley last weekend with a 5-1 record, won-lost – knocking down former undefeated Lower Mainland teams Surrey and Burnaby-New Westminister.
“We played the four top teams in in the Lower Mainland and there were two undefeated going into the tournament,” petite head coach Rob Stauffer said. “In terms of a (defining) characteristic for the group – every single girl on the team is absolutely tenacious."
Petite’s have been on fire this year – leaving their competitions in a haze of smoke.
At their first tournament of the season in Terrace they trounced their competition in all three games. At the Joy Hoffman Memorial Ringette Tournament Nov. 10-12 in Prince George, petites claimed three victories again – and sported and undefeated tournament record.
“They never give up,” Stauffer said. In the final in Langley, petite’s defeated Fraser Valley 8-5 to claim victory. “It’s no small feat to defeat four top-level teams in the Lower Mainland,” Stauffer said.
“To have that type of success is a sign of their accomplishments.”
Stauffer said the team worked hard and supported each other as a team. “They did a fantastic job overall on teamwork,” Stauffer said.
“We have 10 girls, five came up from novice last year and they’re good skaters. They each have different abilities and assets and all contribute to the success of the team.” Their only loss was against Burnaby-New Westminister 6-2 in semifinals.
In round robin, petites were 4-1. Petites defeated Vernon 6-3, Delta 10-3, Surrey 12-5 and Fraser Valley 5-2. “We played Vernon in a close game and then played Delta,” Stauffer said. “Delta was a top team in the Lower Mainland and when we beat them 6-3 it gave us a confidence boost.” The team’s confidence was high coming off their win against Delta and heading into their game against Burnaby-New Westminister. Petite players showed their versatility over the weekend and rotated positions. “Everybody had the opportunity to play various positions and then we fixed positions for each individual,” Stauffer said. “Each individual brings specific skills to the team and did a fantastic job.” Before heading to the tournament, players and parents were nervous, especially because they only won one game at the tournament last year, Stauffer said. “It was a different team with a different dynamic last year,” Stauffer said. “This year, there was a lot of trepidation when we went down. We were competing against the top teams within B.C.”
Next action for the Petite A’s is right here in Quesnel at the Gold Pan Tournament Jan. 4-7 at Twin Arenas.
They only have two weeks of practice before the tournament, because of holidays next weeks practice is focusing on fun.
“We’ll have an intense week of practice the week before the tournament starts,” Stauffer said.
Quesnel Ringette Association Gold Pan Results
By RACHEL STERN
Observer Reporter
Quesnel Ringette Association hosted its Goldpan tournament and welcomed 33 teams to Twin Arenas last weekend. Following are results for Quesnel teams.
Quesnel River Pulp Bunny's lost to Terrace 8-1, Prince George B 7-0 and Prince George W 7-0. "I talked to some of the bunnies at noon hour Monday and they were so excited that they had been in a tournament they can hardly wait till next year," Quesnel Ringette Association vice-president Melinda Moorhouse said.
"Win or lose, they were just excited to be in a tournament."
Cariboo Pulp and Paper lost to Terrace 7-4, Prince George W 4-3 and Prince George B 9-2.
Kal Tire Novices lost their first game against Prince George 15-8, lost to Terrace 9-4, Prince George 5-2, Vernon 7-0 and wound up fifth in their division. "The novices have had some really close games and are a strong team," Moorhouse said. Tolko petite C lost their first game against Prince George petite Bs 8-1. They tied Terrace 6-6, lost to Prince George Bs 13-8, tied Terrace again 5-5 and lost to Terrace in their final match 5-3.
"The C team with close games against Terrace can have some great chances again at Houston and provincials," Moorhouse said.
Cariboo Ford petite A's blew away their competition and won their gold medal round against Vernon 9-2. In round-robin, they defeated Vernon petite A 7-0 and Prince George B 8-1. They won their exhibition games against Quesnel tween C 8-1 and Houston tween C 7-4."This is a great group of players that work very well together," Moorhouse said."They also work very hard."
Canfor tween C tied their first game against Terrace petite 7-7. They then lost three games in a row, losing to Houston 9-2, Prince George 9-3 and Cariboo Ford petite 8-1. "They are improving with each game and will have another chance in provincials in March," Moorhouse said.
"They are coming together as a team and are a feisty group of players."
West Fraser tween B won their first game against Terrace 9-2. They narrowly lost to Prince George 5-4 and Vernon tween A 6-5. In semi-finals, tween B lost to Vernon 8-7. In the bronze medal round, they shut out Terrace 7-0. "They are a great team with a lot of great skills," Moorhouse said.
Dunkley Lumber junior B Questons, a combo team of players from Quesnel and Houston, lost their first game against Prince George 7-0, followed by an 11-4 loss to Kelowna. They came back to defeat Prince George 8-6. They lost their re-match against Kelowna 10-3 and advanced to the semi-finals and lost to Kelowna 6-5, claiming bronze.
"This team has now played six games together and do not practice together as they live five hours apart," Moorhouse said.
"They have started to come together in their final games and will travel to Kelowna to participate in their tournament."
MacTrak Road Building junior A won against Terrace 9-3, 5-4 and 7-0.
They are undefeated in their league and their only loss came in an exhibition game against the Belles, which is a combo Prince George-Quesnel team, 6-2.
The Babes on Blades Ladies team came out undefeated against Prince George in all three of their games 11-5, 6-3 and 6-4.
Ring carrier champions Goldpan ringette teams claim victories and build teamwork
By RACHEL STERN
Observer Reporter Jan 10 2007
Rachel Stern photo
Ring carrier champions Goldpan ringette teams claim victories and build teamwork Quesnel quesntions player Janelle Derksen, left, races against tween AA Prince George player J. Hall for the ring. A Ringette Rocks slogan hung across the team rosters in Twin Arenas lobby last weekend greeting participants, parents and spectators as they entered Quesnel's Goldpan ringette tournament.
More than 33 teams came from across the North and Okanagan to compete. It's the largest ringette tournament we've had so far in Quesnel ringette history, Quesnel Ringette Association president Austin Smith said. It was outstanding. Local support just continues for ringette. QRA is a volunteer-run organization volunteers worked long hours to organize the tournament, pancake breakfast and silent auction. It was a sold-out event, Smith said about Saturday's silent auction. It was a very successful night. It will definitely cover any expenses for the tournament, vice-president and tournament co-chair Melinda Moorhouse said.
Moorhouse said the main goal of the tournament is ensuring participants have fun. We learn something every year. We could never say it's perfect, Moorhouse said. But everybody walks away with a smile on their face and that's our main goal to make the kids happy. Both Vernon and Terrace participants were ecstatic on how well-run the tournament was. It was an awesome tournament. Quesnel has an excellent ringette organization. It is a nice bunch of people and there was good reffing. I'm pleased with the competition, Vernon head coach Dawn Ponich said. We try to bring teams every year to the Quesnel tournament, Terrace Ringette Association president Teresa Wraight added. We really enjoy it and try to bring down at least three teams every year and this year we brought five. With so many teams competing this year, the event was organized as a four-tournament format.
Quesnel teams excelled on the weekend. Cariboo Ford petite A's continued their tournament winning streak claiming their fourth consecutive tournament victory. While the junior A's went undefeated in round-robin, they lost to Prince George's belles in their final game. The combined Quesnel-Houston Questions juniors lost to Kelowna in their semi final, but their most memorable highlight was defeating their Prince George rivals 8-6. Petite A's proved they're the team to beat if others want to claim the championship title. In the gold medal match, petites buried Vernon 9-2. They continually pressured the other team, which resulted in turnovers and offensive chances, petite head coach Rob Stauffer said. They obviously have put some of the skills they've learned in practice this year together in the games and it's great to see. Petites played Prince George and Vernon in round-robin and also played three tween C teams who are the next age division. All of the players have made tremendous strides in improving their skills this year, Stauffer said. He said the team now prepares for the Provincial A Tournament Championships in the Lower Mainland March 9-13, where the petites compete as a Northern League representative. With lots of practices and these games, hopefully this will prepare the girls for the Provincial A Championships against some of the most elite teams in B.C. in the 10 and 11 age category, Stauffer said. Junior A's were outstanding on the weekend, but the lack of enough teams in their division meant they couldn't compete for a coveted gold title. Head coach Rodney Browning said they all played as a team in the weekend resulting in an undefeated round-robin and one loss against the higher division belles. They did very well. I didn't just have one superstar, they were all superstars, Browning said. Juniors are ages 15 and 16 and belles are ages 17-19. It's quite a big step in calibre from junior to belles, Browning said. The tournament showed the team their strengths and where they need to improve to compete in the Kelowna tournament next month. The combined Quesnel-Houston team practices in separate towns and only competes together at tournaments. Their head coach Wayne Moorhouse said the tournament brought them closer together. Yesterday they were all sitting on opposite sides of the dressing room and today they were all sitting together and laughing, Wayne said. Questions edged Prince George 6-5 and for many players, even though they didn't win a division championship, that game made the weekend worth while. Beating Prince George was the best. We beat them for the first time ever, questions player Ashley Gandy said. Our goalie was awesome and she caught a lot of saves, Melinda Moorhouse added. The tournament gave the team valuable time to come together and prepare for the Kelowna tournament next month.
Belles bond at tourney
By RACHEL STERN
Observer Reporter Jan 24 2007
The combined Quesnel, Terrace and Prince George belles competed in the 12th Annual West Coast Classic Ringette Tournament in Richmond Jan. 12-14, participating in their first tournament together this season.
It was our first tournament of the year and the girls were getting a feel with the other players, assistant coach Rod Browning said. Every game the girls stepped up a notch, especially on the play-making, The team advanced to the semi-finals but lost 3-2 to Delta. Overall they weren't better skaters than us, they were just doing better and they had a good game and we had a bad one, belles player Kristy Mallett.
In round robin, belles narrowly lost to Richmond 4-3 but bounced back to beat Burnaby 7-3 and Delta 4-3. After beating Burnaby, our spirits were high, Mallett said. We thought we were going to get blown away, but we did pretty good. Mallet said winning that game made them realize they could do better than even they expected. We did everything right and could have won it just as easily as we lost it, Browning said. Browning said their team conditioning was a factor that contributed to their loss against Delta in the semi-finals.
Our conditioning hurt us at the tournament. We ran out of gas, Browning said. Other than that, our players were excellent and we had outstanding goaltending. There are five Quesnel players on the belles team Katherine Armstrong, Blair Browning, Pam Milsom, Ros Paivinen and Mallett.
Belles travel to Kelowna in February for their next tournament. Browning said players have the basic skills down. The main aspect they work on in practices is communicating and working together as a team. One drawback of a combined team co-orindating practice times together is sometimes difficult.
BC Northern Winter Games
Quesnel Team Takes Silver
The team finished the round robin part of the tournament with a 3-1 record and went on to the finals against Terrace. Terrace played an excellent final match and won the gold medal match, downing the team from Quesnel.
The players and coaches all had great experiences with billets, travel and facilities.
Skate, skate, skate...Petite A’s strategy brings home championship
By RACHEL STERN
Observer Reporter Mar 21 2007
Petite A’s pose with their banner after winning provincials. From back row left to right: Erin Wiggins, Gillian Stauffer, Sydney Kaleta, Rebecca Milligan, Hannah Young, middle row, Jordan Pawluk, Shania Boichat, Jessica MacDonald, Sydney Parisotto, Colleen Moorhouse.
Quesnel’s Cariboo Ford petite A team has been an unstoppable force this season. Victory is their first, middle and last name. The undefeated tournament champions blew away their formidable foes at provincials in the Lower Mainland last weekend, becoming the first Quesnel team to win an A level event and the first team from Northern League north of Vernon to win an A level event. “No team has ever won this competition coming from the North,” coach Rob Stauffer said. “It’s quite an accomplishment.” Stauffer said a key to their success is the team’s determination to maintain control of the ring. “They’re like a pack of pirañas,” he said. “They all have one goal – maintain control of the ring – and they did it. “The opposition did not dominate control of the ring.” Petite A’s called themselves the Energizer Bunnies.
“They truly were that. They were a little slow at the start, but they built confidence – worked hard – and put it together,” Stauffer said.
In their gold medal match, petite A’s battled Delta and won 8-4. “The girls came out firing on all cylinders and took control of the game right from the start,” Stauffer said. “With excellent defence and clutch saves, the team got off to a great start and by halftime had built a lead of 5-2.” In semifinals, they defeated Fraser Valley 9-7.
At halftime, Fraser Valley led 5-4 and Stauffer said he heard parents talking about whether Quesnel would win.
Some people had their doubts. But Stauffer said there weren’t any doubts on the bench. “They had confidence,” he said.
“With three quick goals early in the period, we were up 7-5.” Fraser Valley made a last ditch effort to win and pulled their goalie, but Quesnel pounded the game away with an empty net goal.
In round robin play, petite A’s defeated Port Coquitlam twice 10-3 and 7-0, Vernon 9-4 and tied Delta 4-4.
“The girls put tremendous pressure on the team from Delta in the last remaining seconds, but the game ended 4-4,” Stauffer said.
“Like most other tournaments this year the girls started a little bit slow, but they hit full stride against Port Coquitlam. “With aggressive checking, skating and hard work, the girls blanked the team.” Provincials was the fourth consecutive tournament petite A’s have won. They hold a 23-1-1, won-lost-tie, record this year.
“Overall it’s been a fantastic season and a significant accomplishment,” Stauffer said. “We’re going up against good teams – Vernon held us in check. “They play well as a team and that’s what they have to do.”
Stauffer said the team motto is skate, skate, skate. “If they didn’t have control of the ring they would attack the other team and get control,” he said. Stauffer enjoys coaching such a committed team.
“I’ve coached soccer, basketball, baseball, hockey and ringette and you don’t see too many teams like this,” he said.
“There wasn’t anybody who didn’t get along and they play as a team and that’s what you need to do to excel.”
Belles win B.C. silver, Westerns next
By RACHEL STERN
Observer Reporter Mar 21 2007
Quesnel ringette teams took top spots at provincials in the Lower Mainland last weekend.
Petite C, tween B and Prince George Belles, with four Quesnel players, all took silver.
Tween B’s lost their final match to Prince George 4-1. “A couple girls couldn’t be there and we had a fairly short bench,” tween B coach Rick Mallett said. “But we held our own. Both goalies played well. “There was excellent teamwork from the defence.” The short bench meant a change in strategy. Tweens hit hard early in the game to get a lead.
“It gave us room because we got tired so quick,” Mallett said.
Tween B’s have a unique rotating goalie position. Sarah Zipser and Kelsey Mallett both play the position and swap every game.
In semifinals, they defeated Coquitlam 8-6. In round robin, tweens defeated Richmond 9-2, Westside Kelowna 8-2, Burnaby/New Westminster 7-5 and Port Coquitlam 14-5. “The team buckled down – played as a team – and had a lot of fun,” Mallett said. Mallett said players excelled at passing and circling behind the net to score.
“The opposition was spread out and it gave us the opportunity to move to the centre,” Mallett said. “We bore down and played a great game without getting into penalty trouble.”
Prince George Belles rang silver with their ring tossing at provincials.
Players Blair Browning, Pam Milsom, Katherine Armstrong and Kristy Mallett are the four Quesnel players on the team. “The girls would have been happier with gold, but they were still happy with what they got,” assistant coach Rod Browning said. “It was a joint effort from Prince George, Quesnel and the one Terrace player on the team.
“They all did extremely well.” Browning said every player
contributed to scoring. While Belles only snagged silver they have a chance to try for gold again. This weekend they travel to Medicine Hat, Alta. to compete in Western Canadian Championships.
Belles vow to do better at next year’s Westerns
By RACHEL STERN
Observer Reporter April 8, 2007
Blair Browning, Pam Milsom, Katharine Armstrong and Kristy Mallett were excited to play on Quesnel’s belles team this year and signed up at the beginning of the season. But not long after registering they were told there weren’t enough players in Quesnel for a team. They were disappointed, but an opportunity arose for them to join Prince George’s Belles team. “We don’t have anyone to play in the North and didn’t have a team ourselves until we joined the team in Prince George,” Milsom said. The four Quesnel players struggled all year to play on a team where practices with the entire team was rare.
“We had three tournaments together the whole year,” Milsom said.
“We played 20 games while other teams play about 60 games.”
Despite the lack of team practice time, belles snagged silver at provincials in Vancouver March 17-18.
Their combined team of Prince George, Quesnel and one Terrace player skated their way to victory. Next, belles geared up for their competition at Westerns in Medicine Hat, Alta. March 21-24.
They had to deal with watermelon heads – exuberant Saskatchewan fans. “The fans were crazy,” Milsom said. At Westerns, belles enjoyed the opportunity to play against the best-of-the-best. “We played against the best team from each province,” Mallett said.
“It was a different calibre and a different way to play. The first game we played on an Olympic-sized ice rink, which was pretty huge.”
The Quesnel players said the most difficult game was against Alberta’s team. “They played a different system. There were two on the ring at all times,” Milsom said. Belles defeated Medicine Hat 5-2 but lost to Manitoba 4-3, Alberta 5-2 and Saskatchewan 3-2.
Prince George belles took three of six spots for the Western all-star team as Rory Bird, Nicole Crandell and Jennifer Macleod were all named to all-stars. Milsom was named MVP for the Medicine Hat game. Although they didn’t place in the top three, belles received some delicious chocolate medals, which they’re keeping as souvenirs.
Assistant coach Rod Browning said every player gave their all and that’s why they succeed. Next year Prince George hosts Westerns and Quesnel’s players said they all know what to expect now. At Quesnel’s Ringette Association’s wind-up Tuesday, president Austin Smith said Quesnel hopes to form their own belles team next year.
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