By Josh Wegman
Both of Ottawa’s National Ringette League clubs are back at the Canadian Ringette Championships this year, with the third-seeded Ottawa Ice and seventh-seeded Gloucester Devils in Regina April 7-12 to chase a national title
For the Ice, bronze medalists in 2012, this season was all about redemption and a return trip to the big show following a first-round playoff sweep last year.
“We didn’t like how our season ended last year,” emphasizes goaltender Tori Goble, who posted the league’s second-best save percentage this season. “We all know we can win, so now it’s just a matter of going out there and proving it.”
Katie Lugg, 28, was the offensive catalyst for the club this season, with 68 points in 25 games, while 23-year-old Jayme Simzer wasn’t far behind, tying Lugg for the team lead in goals with 26. Rookie Brittany MacDonald also added some punch to the attack, recording better than a point-per-game scoring pace.
Despite that offensive prowess, the true identity of the team comes from the defensive side of the ring, says coach Al Bateman.
“We want to be known as the toughest team in the league to play against,” indicates the Ice NRL coach of four years. “We’re probably as good as any defence in the league and we are tough to score against. That’s our reputation.”
The 21-4-1 Ice, featuring veteran defenders Carrie Lugg and Team Canada player Jenna McBride, allowed the third fewest goals in the league with 99. They beat every team in the league with the exception of first-place Cambridge on the road back to the nationals and righting last year’s wrong.
“Last year it seemed at times like we just couldn’t seal the deal. We weren’t mentally tough,” Bateman recalls. “But this year is a different story.”
Devils enter as underdogs
In the midst of a bit of a rebuilding season and a younger roster, expectations aren’t very high for Gloucester at nationals. The Devils are ranked seventh of eight teams, but coach Dave Mainwood remains optimistic.
“It all depends how we start,” says Mainwood, whose squad was led offensively by 24-year-old Kaitlyn Youldon’s 62 points, up from 29 last year in 15 games. “If we can be .500 after our first four games, then we’re right in the thick of things.”
Earning a silver medal, the defending Belle U19 Canadian-champion Nepean Ravens were the lone local team to earn an entry at the nationals from the Ontario ‘AA’ provincial championships, hosted March 6-9 by the Gloucester-Cumberland Ringette Association.