Hard work and perseverance has definitely paid off for the Strathmore U14A Ice. The team came home champions after winning gold at the Bob Campbell Classic tournament in Cochrane. In order to complete that feat, Strathmore Ice had to play the home team in front of a home crowd in Cochrane, two times, the second time, a victory.

Head coach Kailee Dundas says “Our team has been getting better and better and especially on Friday they absolutely took a huge step forward in their performance they were just on fire.”

“We had a rough go Saturday which is quite normal to have a bit of a let down after having such a great day, but we bounced back on Sunday and played to our strengths, we weren't consistent through the whole game, but we were better enough of the game to pull the win out,” she said.

About the atmosphere of the Cochrane tournament, the coach says, “I have to give a shout out to the tournament organizers. It was a lot of fun. They had a real Christmas theme going.  All their Cochrane folks were all dressed up and it was quite a spectacle to be part of, they had the music blaring so loud. I was trying to call a timeout at the end of the game and the ref couldn't even hear that. The place was just rocking so it was really fun.”

“I think it's fun for the girls to have a chance to play when there's lots of energy in the stands and stuff like that, but I would also have to say that our Strathmore group causes quite a ruckus where they go too,” she said.

This year’s U14A Strathmore Ice is a mix of new and returning players. The majority of the players are from Strathmore, some players come from the Rockyford ringette program and other communities across the region.

“I know that a lot of these girls have played together before, but there are some new faces. Overall we have a great skilled group. They're getting better every day,” Dundas said.

The team plays in the Calgary Ringette league. They will play two games this upcoming weekend.

The next tournament the team will be featured in is in the Strathmore Laurie Morton Ruppe Memorial Tournament in January.

Next, the Strathmore U14 A Ice will play the Airdrie Venom on Saturday, December 18 in Strathmore, and then play the SC Phantoms on Sunday at Rockyford.