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Medicine Hat Force beat the odds to win provincial ringette gold

Mar 27, 2018 | 11:42 AM

BROOKS, AB – An improbable run to a provincial championship for the Medicine Hat Force ringette club, capturing gold in Brooks on Sunday.

The Force earned a 5-2 victory over the Rockyford Ringers to win the provincial Open ‘C’ banner, capping off a remarkable tournament for the Medicine Hat-based club.

After starting the tournament with a 1-1 record, the Force played to a 2-2 tie against the Cochrane Chaos on Saturday despite being outshot 55-23.

From there, Medicine Hat swept an elimination mini-game and their semi-final matchup before taking down the Ringers to earn gold.

Head coach David Yip said it’s quite the achievement especially since the team hadn’t played together in over two months.

“Considering we haven’t done anything since January, we don’t play in a league, so this is the only games we get is tournament play,” said Yip. “For us to be this far [at] provincials, it says a lot for the girls.”

Medicine Hat had a strong goaltending performance from Martyn Clift, who was approved to be on the Force roster along with his father Keon by Ringette Alberta at the beginning of the season.

Force forward Courtney Stock added it was extra special getting to play close to home as the final Medicine Hat ringette team left in action.

The Medicine Hat Ringette Association will officially wrap up their season on April 11 with their Annual General Meeting.