Girls at Atlantics
Wildcats hope to draw on past experiences at Atlantic championship
The Mid-Isle Wildcats return to the Atlantic midget AAA female hockey championships, this time in East Hants, N.S., where play starts today.
The Mid-Isle Wildcats know what to expect.
The Wildcats, who begin play in the Atlantic midget AAA female hockey championship at the East Hants Sportsplex in Lantz, N.S., on Thursday, are no strangers to regional competition.
“We have three girls who played in the midget Atlantic championship two years ago, we have nine girls that have been in the bantam championship and this is the third trip to Atlantics for five of our girls,” said Wildcats head coach Kevin Andrews. “They are experienced with the format, and we are hoping that experience pays off.”
The Wildcats earned the right to represent P.E.I. by defeating the Kings County Kings in a thrilling best-of-five final series that went to the limit and came right down to the final minute. “It’s going to be some tough competition,” said Wildcats centre Taylor Gillis of Summerside.
Q“It’s always fun, and there will be lots of good teams there.”
Gillis scored the game-winning goal with 23 seconds remaining in regulation time to give the Wildcats a 4-3 comefrom-behind win over Kings County in Game 5.
“It’s obviously a memory I will never forget,” said Gillis, 17.
Wildcats left-winger Makayla Larsen of Clyde River said hard work and executing the game plan will be two keys.
“We need to control the nerves,” continued Larsen, 16. “In our first couple of games we need to find a way to play our best, and stick together as a team.” Right-winger Madison Vincent of Crapaud admits it’s exciting to have the opportunity to attend a regional championship.
“For some of us it’s our second time going (to the midget championship),” said Vincent, who set up Gillis’s game-winning goal in Game 5. “We’re not new to it, but it’s still very exciting.”
Vincent added it will be “really fast hockey” at the Atlantics.
“You can’t stop for a second, or the other team will capitalize on it,” said Vincent, 18.
Trademarks
When asked to describe the Wildcats’ style of play, Andrews said the team stresses pressure and a never-say-die attitude. “We try to put pressure on all the time and try to create mistakes,” said Andrews. “Then when we get the puck we try to be creative with it.
“The other part of our game that was important during our series with Kings County is it’s awfully hard to beat a team that never gives up. That’s the way we went into that series, we were not going to give up at any time.
“Going into the third period of Game 5 we were down 3-2 and I said to the girls, ‘It’s hard to beat a team that never gives up and nobody in here is giving up.’
“We went out and some good things happened in the third period for us.”
It’s a philosophy the players have bought into.
“We have practised and are ready to go,” said Larsen. “We just have to execute.” Vincent added, “Everyone plays better if you work together.”