The Rocky Mountain Raiders went into their first ever 2016 Esso Cup looking to bag the ultimate prize, but fell just short as they captured a bronze medal.
The Okotoks-based team which featured three Cochranites – Kara Kondrat, Nicolette Seper, and Megan Campbell – went into Canada’s national women’s midget hockey championship in Weyburn, Sask., coming off the back of a great season, and opened up their tournament account with a 2-1 win over eventual gold medalists Brantford Ice Cats on April 17.
“We approached the tournament with every intention of going there to win,” said Raiders head coach Paul Pozzi. “That was our mindset, we weren’t going there just for the show. We were confident.”
After opening the tournament on a high, the next two days were a mixed bag, as the team fell 2-0 to Metro Boston Pizza, before bouncing back with a much needed 3-1 win against Saskatoon Stars, where Seper and Kondrat both picked up assists.
The team rounded out their preliminary group round in first place, with a 3-2 win against Express du Richelieu on April 20 (Seper picking up two goals), and a 3-2 loss to Weyburn Gold Wings on April 21 (Seper with a goal and assist; Campbell grabbing a helper).
The semi-final matchup turned out to be a rematch against Express du Richelieu but the tides turned as the game ended up being tied 3-3 going into overtime (Kondrat scoring the tying goal late in the third period).
Unfortunately, the Raiders lost the shootout 4-3, ending the dreams of a golden finish to the tournament.
However, the bronze medal game turned out to be consolation enough as the Raiders crushed the Stars 3-0, with Hanna Matchett, Breanne Trotter, and Hailey McCallum banging in the goals. Seper picked up her third assist of the tournament (sixth point overall) to continue her scoring streak.
After the tournament, Pozzi had nothing but praise for his Cochrane triumvirate.
“There’s a reason Nicolette was league MVP this year,” he said. “She’s an outstanding player who’s good in all situations. She’s our team captain and a great leader. You can see why she’s going to play at Mount Royal next year.
“Kara is a second-year on our team, but she’s really a first-year player because she’s only in Grade 10. She’s had a good season, and gotten stronger as it went on. She’s a big, strong girl that can get you goals.
“Megan – who is another first year player – is so fast. She’s on our first or second line penalty kill and can cause major headaches for other teams because she pressures them so hard and forces them to make mistakes.”
With top players like Kondrat and Campbell still having multiple years left with the Raiders, the future looks bright indeed.
