The Rocky Mountain AAA Female Raiders pulled off a rare feat at the annual Mac’s Midgets AAA World Invitational Tournament that began on Dec. 26 and ended with the tournament finals in both the male and female divisions on Jan. 1. The tournament featured 25 male and 15 female teams from across Canada, the United States and Europe.
The team hoisted their second Mac’s Cup in as many years, becoming the first team to defend their Mac’s title in the female division since the Swift Current Wildcats accomplished the back-to-back wins in 2007-08. Rocky Mountain went 6-0 throughout the tournament, outscoring their opponents by a score of 29-7, including a 6-2 win over the Prince Albert Northern Bears in the tournament finals.
The Raiders have two players who hail from Cochrane in goaltender Stephanie Gross and forward Kara Kondrat. Kondrat and her line mates Chloe Puddifant and Mary McDonald combined for nine points in the final game, with Kondrat scoring two goals, including the game-winner, and an assist in front of the Scotiabank Saddledome crowd.
For her efforts, Kondrat was chosen as the playoffs most valuable player, top scorer of the tournament and was named to the second all-star team in the female division.
“It’s very rewarding to be chosen as playoff MVP,” Kondrat said.
“I have put a lot of effort into my hockey career to be where I am today, especially after having to overcome my ankle injury early in the season.”
“It’s nice knowing I can make impact on the team.”
The Cochrane born player has three goals and one assist in 11 games, as she missed time with that same ankle injury. Kondrat says having success at the prestigious tournament will hopefully bring her more good fortunes for the remainder of the team’s regular season games.
“Seeing how successful my line and I were at the Mac’s tournament, I think we’re definitely poised to have a promising remainder of our regular season,” Kondrat said.
“Hopefully, the win at Mac’s will motivate us to make it to the Esso Cup.”
Not only did the Raiders find success at the Mac’s Midgets, they’ve also been very good in league play. Rocky Mountain is second in the Central Division of the Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL) with a 14-4-2 record, which is only one point back of the division leading Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs. They will play the St. Albert Ron Hodgson Slash, as well as the Chiefs on Jan. 13 and 14.
“This weekend should be two big games for our team, being able to get all the points we need to reach first place,” Kondrat said.
“It would be really good for us to win both of those games as both teams are very strong competition, but I think the depth on our team can give us a couple wins.”
