By Mitch Bach

INTERVIEWS: Experience carrying Avalanche U19B ringette into provincials

Mar 23, 2017 | 1:05 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Competing in the provincial championship is nothing new for many players on the U19B Medicine Hat Avalanche.

The only difference, is the age category the local ringette gals have grown into.

Avalanche head coach Dieter Stanke says many of his current players competed in the U16 Provincial Championship as the Medicine Hat Vibe last year — a tournament which they won handily.

“We have about seven girls who have carried over to this team,” said Stanke, who coached the U16 Vibe last year to a gold medal. “I think a few of these girls a few years ago were able to go to provincials as well. There’s quite a few girls who have actually experienced the provincial level.”

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Although most of his roster this year is made up of returning players to the U19 division, Stanke can’t deny the level of talent which lies in the dressing room.

He’s coached his team to a 15-1 record in league play, partnered with an undefeated record in provincial play-downs earlier this month.

“This is the culmination of a whole season and everything that we’ve done,” he added. “We want to be able to go out there and put forth a good result. I’m just expecting the girls to go out there and work as hard as they possibly can.”

Avalanche forward Erica Brost will lace up with the team in Lacombe this weekend. Brost says she’s nervous for the challenge of competing among the best teams in the province, but if they stick their own game, leaving with a gold medal is certainly possible.

“The main goal is to bring home that main title,” said Brost. “But win or lose, we’re in it together.”

Lauren Hughes, a defenceman for the Avalanche agrees with her teammate, while also adding that team chemistry has been a huge factor in the team’s success.

“We’ve been playing (together) for years,” said Hughes. “We just have to play how we can, because it’s working well for us.”