SUBMITTED PHOTO ARIANA HERMAN
The U10 Jr. Gators pose with their mentors the U19A Gators after the U10's games on Sunday.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
The U19A Gators and U10 Junior Gators share more than a name.
The two local ringette teams have shared a bond this season from practicing together and cheering each other on during games.
U19 head coach Marty Robinson said it’s been a pretty neat experience having his team work with the U10’s this season.
“I’ve coached ringette for a lot of years so it’s been really rewarding to go back and help coach and mentor some of these young girls getting into the sport,” Robinson said.
U10 Junior Gators coach Ariana Herman said the two teams started the season practising as much as they could and attended as many games as possible before their schedules became busy.
She said the younger Gators appreciate the mentorship of the older girls.
“Some of them are taking the opportunity to give back and I know the young girls really appreciate it,” Herman said. “I like having them cheering them on, it makes for a more cohesive association. The mentorship is amazing for all of them.”
The U19 Gators were at the Junior Gators game Sunday and lined up in the hallway before they hit the ice, then cheered when they did. The U19s were lined up along the glass and waving at the Gators on the ice. “They just had a lot of fun with it,” Robinson said.
Both Robinson and Herman said they aren’t the only ones getting the two teams together and helping grow the game of ringette in Medicine Hat. Herman said Megan Cross, the Junior Gators manager and her husband Travis, the assistant coach, have played an integral role.
Herman said Cross fought hard at the beginning of the season to make it work. Robinson said his assistant coach, John Karamanos, was also instrumental in getting the program started.
The Junior Gators have also had coaching help from U19 Gator Marley Rose who has helped all season. Herman’s daughter Sheridyn also helps the younger team whenever she comes home from school in Saskatoon.
Robinson said the team partnership is about growing the game and community, and is a great experience for all.
“It’s such a good experience for young girls to play with another group of young girls and have the opportunity to have everything from going water sliding when they are at a tournament to having practice together and learning how to compete and play the game together.”
Herman said she hopes the program can run for years, and one of her U10s even said they can see themselves being a part of the group in the years to come.
“I had one little girl come to me last week and say, ‘I’m going to be a Junior Gator forever,’ Herman said. “It was pretty cute to see that they are excited for it and it’s the team, being a part of a group. It’s not just on-ice stuff but it’s about friendship, acceptance and about working together.”
Before they attended the Junior Gators game on Sunday, the U19A Gators began provincial playdowns Saturday and won both matchups.
They opened Saturday with a 7-5 win over Cochrane Rockies.
Amanda Robinson led the Gators offence with two goals and Dimitria Karamanos, Sydney Anderson, Ryan Sweet, Marin Sinclair and Allison Mason each added one for the win.
The U19 Gators followed that victory up with a 10-4 shellacking of the Calgary Northwest Venom.
Delaney Mastel, Robinson and Anderson each had two goals while Sinclair, Joren Gramlich, Jaelyn Siewert and Ryan Sweet added singles in the lopsided win.
Rheagyn Heinrichs was in net for both games.
The Gators will be continuing playdowns in Calgary Saturday with two more games as they try to secure a spot in provincials in March.
U14
The U14 Impact travelled to Calgary for their last two league games of the season.
The Impact tied the Calgary NW Ignite in their first game, 5-5. Their offence was led by Jordy Provost with two, and one each from Maren Berstad, Ava Allchurch and Ella Seale.
In the second game against the Bow View Clash the Impact also settled for a 2-2 tie.
Impact goals came from Allchurch and Jackiw. Sadie Berstad made big saves against the Clash. The Impact finished third in the Ringette Calgary league with a record of 7-4-3.
The Impact have a week of practice before heading to Calgary next weekend for their first weekend of provincial playdowns.
U12
The U12B Surge also played two league games in Calgary Saturday but fell short in both games.
Their first game was played against the BowView Surge who beat the Impact 6-5 after leading 5-1 at the half.
The Surge were led offensively with four straight goals from Sloane Berstad. Their fifth goal came from Onyka Funk, her first of the season. Taking the loss in net was Sophia Smith.
The second game of the day was against one of the top U12B teams in the league, the Northwest Rebels, and they fell short 10-2. Scoring for the Surge were Brea Butterfield and Breanna Lanuk. Emma Pinnell handled the goaltending duties for the game.
The next action for the Surge is another trip up to Calgary this Saturday for a doubleheader against the Northwest Venom. They then close out league play with a doubleheader at home versus the Lethbridge Rattlers on Mar. 5.
