An electrifying second-half performance ignited the St. Albert Charge to victory at the Ringette Alberta U19A belle championship.
The first St. Albert Ringette Association team since the 2013 Surge to win the U19A provincial banner was getting lit up while going 1-14-1 in the first half of the season before a 13-2-2 power surge was capped off in Sunday’s 5-3 win over Sherwood Park Reign in the gold-medal game in Calgary.
“From the beginning of the year our plan was to play well in three tournaments: B.C. (Michelle Vandale Memorial Spirit of Winter in Fraser Valley), provincials and westerns and although the regular season was important for development, competition and morale, the ultimate goal is how they play in March,” said head coach Jeff Kozuska. “A plan was set with every team member who took a true vested interest and retained confidence throughout the development.”
The girls flicked the switch on at the Spirit of Winter Classic the first weekend in December and defeated Kelowna 4-1 in the final to finish 4-0-1.
“That’s where it all came together. Everything seemed to make sense to them,” Kozuska said. “The girls just seemed to take all of the tools given to them and used them all in that weekend.”
It also marked the first time the team of 15 skaters and one goalie were on the ice together.
“Our team rule is family and school come first. If they’ve got one of those events they're expected not to be there,” Kozuska said.
There was no St. Albert U19A team last year so the roster consisted of former U16A and U19B players.
“That would be partly for why the slow start. None of them had the experience playing at this level,” Kozuska said.
The players pulled together for an overall 14-16-3 record in the Black Gold League, tournaments, north playdowns and provincials.
“Their play in the offensive zone has been a huge contributor,” Kozuska said. “The defensive system, as soon as we don’t have the ring for the full ice, and our defence inside our own zone has been great.
“When they put all three of those things together it’s wonderful to see.”
The Charge started the eight-team provincials off with a bang by defeating the host NW Calgary Crew, who Kozuska labelled as “the tournament favourite.” It set the stage for the 4-1 run to provincial glory.
“We came out of that with a really strong win,” he said. “We always knew that we could do this but after that game it was definitely a reality.”
The semifinal was another challenge for the Charge.
“It was definitely a tough game. We scored a couple of goals and we gave them a couple of goals,” Kozuska said of the 5-3 decision against the Calgary Bow View Bruins, the eventual bronze medallists. “The truth was the other team never really did anything of their own for a scoring opportunity in a big way, but we unfortunately kept them in the game.”
The final was deadlocked at three apiece at the break before the Charge pulled away to victory.
“We gave up the first goal and after that it was a tight game and then with 10 minutes left you could see the momentum changing,” Kozuska said.
On tap next are westerns, starting March 23 in Richmond, B.C.
“Our goal is to go there and do the best that we can,” Kozuska said. “Our goal is never about winning or losing, our goal is always to go out there and do our best. We always give the girls something that they can succeed at. We never put them in a position where they can’t succeed and then push them a little harder.
“The scoreboard looks after itself.”
Kozuska was popping buttons over the team's success.
“It’s simply a very special group of young ladies who are amazing role models, whom we are proud to coach and be associated with,” he said. “Each player brings value to the team. When one or more is missing the team simply doesn’t function well. This includes our goalie coach, dryland trainer and bench team.
“The coaching works in the same manner of the players. Together we are strong and our manager, Glen Dennis, takes care of the smallest details.
“We’re all one great team.”
