The Shuswap Honey Badgers Junior A Ringette Team took home gold medals after an exciting weekend of play in the Kelowna Sweetheart Tournament.
The team started strong with a convincing win over the Surrey/White Rock Tsunami 9-4. In their second game, they came out on top 6-4, playing the fastest game on ice against the Calgary Ignite – a favourite to win the tournament.
Game 3 found Shuswap battling another Calgary team, The Snype. After being tied 3-3 at the half, the Honey Badgers pulled away and finished with a 7-4 win.
In their final round robin game, Shuswap faced Fraser Valley, one of the top U16 teams in B.C. The Honey Badgers lost 8-1 with an uncharacteristic performance.
In semi-final play, a rematch with the Calgary Ignite was an adrenalin rush for players and fans. After battling back the whole game, Shuswap’s captain scored with six seconds remaining to tie it up. An exciting five minute, sudden-death overtime would solve nothing, but calm goaltending by Kaylinn Bihari and magical shootout goals would send the Honey Badgers to the gold medal game.
Another rematch, this time with Fraser Valley, was the setting. This season’s record versus Fraser Valley was two losses and a tie. With the stands full of cheering Shuswap fans, the Honey Badgers did not disappoint and showed their determination, winning the Challenge Cup with a 5-3 victory.
Team members are: Kaylinn Bihari, Alexis Fraser, Emily Bennett, Taylor Robinson, Braya Quilty, Arianna Sholinder, Cassidy Hughs, Kailynn Nisse, Amelia Kruk, Brooklyn Hay, Bailey Buchanen, Sara Martin amd Lauren Shykora. Coaches are Jon Hay, Lana Brown and Murray Sholinder.