Two Medicine Hat teams took part in what’s billed as the biggest ringette tournament in the world this past weekend, with one coming agonizingly close to a spot in its final.
In Calgary for the Esso Golden Ring, the Riptide got to the semifinals of their under-16 A division Sunday before a 3-2 overtime loss to Calgary Northwest Forte.
Down 2-0, Riptide fought back with goals from Andie Suhai and Kylie Kallenberger. Jena Harty was superb in goal as she was all weekend – Medicine Hat was 4-0 entering the matchup.
But the bounces didn’t go the Riptide’s way, and they had to settle for a share of third place instead.
They beat Vernon 6-4, South Calgary Surge 14-4 and Calgary’s Bowview Havoc 5-3 in the round robin. A 6-1 quarter-final win over Calgary Northwest Havoc sent them to Sunday’s medal round.
Forte went on to beat Vernon 7-2 in the gold medal final.
With 173 teams and an estimated 2,500-plus athletes, the Golden Ring is in its 34th year and showing no signs of slowing down.
Under-19
Medicine Hat’s other team at the event was the under-19 Mighty Ducks. They won their first game, 2-1 over South Calgary Sisu, but a pair of round robin losses eliminated them from the playoff draw.
Lauren Klick and Hannah Heidel scored in the victory. A 5-4 loss to Regina Ript saw Amanda Robinson score twice, then Allison Mason and Cassidy Stock net the others.
A 10-2 loss to eventual division champion Calgary Bowview Blue saw the Hat side get goals from Mason and Jada Harper.
Under-12
In league play Saturday, the under-12 Blackout split a pair of home games against the Lethbridge Warriors.
Medicine Hat won the first game 5-4, getting two goals each from Kengington Provost and Ryleigh Jackiw. Ravyn Lehr had the other.
Lethbridge won the second game 9-1. Jackiw had Blackout’s lone goal.
