Shoveling snow isnB次元官网网址檛 exactly a memory most West Shore residents recall fondly but for one hockey team, itB次元官网网址檚 something theyB次元官网网址檒l never forget.
The Juan de Fuca Midget girlsB次元官网网址� team spent the last weekend in December creating memories that will last a lifetime. Led by head coach Dave Saunders, the team piled into a bus and headed down to the Montana Winter Ice Classic, a tournament played in an outdoor complex.
B次元官网网址淲e arrived at night and everybody on the bus was completely amazed,B次元官网网址� Saunders said, adding the arena was lit up and everyoneB次元官网网址檚 jaws dropped at the sight.
But itB次元官网网址檚 not the same style of hockey outside and one the team quickly had to adapt to.
B次元官网网址淚t was completely different, they had to adjust to the cold,B次元官网网址� he explained.
With temperatures of around -8 C, the players stuffed hand warmers in their gloves and skates and wrapped balaclavas around their necks to stay warm.
B次元官网网址淭he water on the Zamboni was freezing up,B次元官网网址� Saunders noted, adding it only did a dry scrap in the second period. Parents and volunteers would clear the ice with shovels and scrapers between periods.
B次元官网网址淭he parents enjoyed it, it made them part of the game,B次元官网网址� he added, noting everyone that went on the trip was still beaming about it. B次元官网网址淚t was a really cool experience.B次元官网网址�
But it wasnB次元官网网址檛 just the cold the players had to adapt to, with snow falling on the ice there were a number of new challenges. Saunders noted you couldnB次元官网网址檛 expect a pass to be on your stick or that a puck would carry normally. B次元官网网址淭he puck doesnB次元官网网址檛 travel quite as far B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 just a different style of game,B次元官网网址� he explained. B次元官网网址淥ne of our players lost the puck in the snow, no one could see it.B次元官网网址�
Roughly eight inches of snow fell the night before the teamB次元官网网址檚 final game and all of that had to be removed from the rink before the girls could play at 8 a.m. Five volunteers, including Saunders, were up at 6 a.m. clearing snow and by 7 those numbers had swelled to roughly 40 people. B次元官网网址淭he volunteer effort was simply amazing.B次元官网网址�
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The team played four games, tying two and losing two. That put them in the running to play for third but due to the weather and the two days of travelling to get home from Kalispell, Montana, the team decided to leave early.
B次元官网网址淭he last game we were going to play for third but the weather turned and the bus driver was scared about black ice,B次元官网网址� Saunders said, adding it was the right call. By the time the team made it to their hotel that evening the weather had hit and there was black ice all over the roads.
As SaundersB次元官网网址� final year coaching the local squad, as well as the final year of minor hockey for many of the players, he noted the parents wanted to make this season extra special.
He hopes their trip will pave the way for other local teams and noted SookeB次元官网网址檚 girlsB次元官网网址� team has already expressed interest in going next year as well as possibly a team from Victoria.
B次元官网网址淧art of the initiative was to raise the awareness that female hockey is alive and well,B次元官网网址� he explained. B次元官网网址淭he tournament couldnB次元官网网址檛 have gone any better and the promotion of female hockey was incredible.B次元官网网址�
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