The Athabasca Purple Panthers won bronze at the Investors Group Senior B Womenís Hockey Provincial Championships last weekend.
Hosting the event at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex Friday to Sunday, the Panthers played five games against competition from around Alberta. Having travelled to Banff for the event last year, the team was excited to host the competition and to play in front of their family and friends.
The Panthers won their first two games of the tournament, defeating Westlock 6-4 and Grovedale 5-3. They lost their final game of the round robin 5-4 to Treaty 7, setting up a semi-final date with Slave Lake. In a close, back and forth game, the Panthers were defeated 4-3, meaning their next stop would be the bronze medal game.
Though it wasnít the medal game they had hoped to be a part of, the Panthers hit the ice with lots of energy and never looked back, skating past Hythe for a 3-0 win.
ìItís not gold, but itís good,î said team captain Elisa Burchby.
ìIt feels awesome,î added assistant captain Kyley Belton after the Panthers had been awarded their bronze medals. The third place finish was a marked improvement over their trip to Banff last year.
ìThe competition was the same, but our team was a little stronger (this year),î said Burchby.
The games played on the weekend were the Panthers first full outings as a team all season, making their march to the medal round all the more impressive. According to Burchby and Belton, they set their sights on winning a medal and kept working hard until they had done just that.
Aside from some great on ice efforts, the Panthers credited their coach Larry Lynde with helping to lead them to the bronze. They were also proud to bring the provincial event home and were enthused to see the community come out, as well as the sponsor support that made the event possible.
ìItís definitely a lot of work, but itís worth it,î said Belton.
