The Rugged Edge midget girls team failed to advance to their provincial competition, after losing two straight to Terrace over the weekend.
But the girls played tough, posting their best back-to-back games against Terrace all season and if it wasn’t for an unlucky bounce at the end of game one, they could have found themselves in a third and deciding game.
“It was actually a really positive weekend for us,” Rugged Edge head coach Troy Larden said. “For the girls there was a lot of disappointment because they expected to win at least one and maybe head to provincials, but we played really well out there.”
In their first game they gave up a quick 2-0 lead to Terrace, before battling back with two goals of their own at the end of the second period to pull even.
With five minutes left in a scoreless third period and the game tied at two, Terrace got a lucky bounce on a dump in, off the zamboni gate that went right to one of their forwards, standing alone in front of an open cage. She buried it to give Terrace the 3-2 win.
Game two was a little more lopsided on the scoreboard with Terrace winning 4-0, but on the ice, the game was closely contested.
“I thought we played really well. It was a great game by both teams, not a lot of mistakes in either end.”
Larden was pleased with his team’s progress this season and, with only one graduating player, he has high hopes for next as well.
“I am stoked for this team,” Larden said. “If we can pickup one or two more players and hope that everyone comes back then I think we’ve got success in our sights.”
The Rugged Edge girls played in four tournaments this season, against competition from around the province.
Their best finish was a first place in Fraser Lake.
With their provincial hopes dashed, the Rugged Edge will set focus on their final tournament of the season, in Edson, Alberta.
“We have no idea what we are going to face over there, they are pretty serious about their girls hockey over there in Alberta, so who knows what’s going to happen.”