Sylvie Paillard
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Both Howe Sound ringette teams are toughing out the last games of the competition season and showing improvement with every play, according to team organizers.
The Howe Sound Bunnies lost two back-to-back weekend games against the Surrey Super Shooters, but players enjoyed every moment nonetheless, said team organizer Laurie Aseltine.
"The kids played very well," said Aseltine. "They are all showing major signs of improvement in their mental game as well as their physical game. They are beginning to make simple plays, such as passing in the other team's end, the stronger players are all very generous with the ring, they all try to pass to the weaker players and give them a chance. It's nice to see at such a young age."
On Jan. 28, Surrey defeated the Howe Sound Bunnies with a final score of 5-3. Howe Sound's Charmaine Bedry scored one goal assisted by Geozua Ariz. Kevin Ranada scored the other two goals, both assisted by Kenneth Fianza.
"Kief Ranada played fantastic in goal," said Aseltine. "And Georgia MacInnes toughed out a fractured wrist and played the entire game with a big smile on her face."
Sunday Feb. 5 seemed like a rerun of the previous weekend with the Bunnies again losing 5-3 to the Surrey Super Shooters. Charmaine again scored two goals both unassisted and Geozua scored his first goal ever, also unassisted.
Meanwhile, the older Howe Sound Novices are battling through the final games of the season with a standing of 6 wins, 6 losses and 1 tie. On Saturday, Feb. 4 the team travelled to North Vancouver for the first game of the season against Northwest Vancouver. After a slow start, Howe Sound was able to pick up the play to come home with a 5-0 victory. Ryan Fianza scored two goals and Jennifer Kion scored a hat trick.
On Saturday (Feb. 11) the Novices were on the road again, this time to Burnaby for the third and final game of the season against the Burnaby Ice Devils.
"With the season series tied at a victory apiece, we knew this was going to be an exciting game," said coach Kent Warwick. Howe Sound appeared a little sluggish in the first period, allowing more than 20 shots and 3 goals in the first 10 minutes. But they fought hard for a comeback and with only five minutes left in the game, the teams were tied 4-4. With three minutes left and Howe Sound shorthanded, the Ice Devils pressed the opposition's zone and were able to slide one past the Howe Sound goalie. "Though we had our chances, we just couldn't tie it up," said Warwick.
The final score of the game was 5-4 for Burnaby. Howe Sound goals were by Jacklin Warwick, JamieLee Nelson, Nicole Pederson and Ryan Fianza.
Howe Sound's next and final home game is Saturday (Feb. 18) 11:25 a.m. at Brennan Park. The team finishes up the season with the final league game in Langley on Feb. 25 followed by the year-end tournament on March 4 and 5 in Port Coquitlam.
