Local National Ringette League rivals go pink, Ottawa Ice, Gloucester Devils meet up Sunday in fundraiser
Posted Jan 19, 2012 By Dan PlouffeEMC sports - With $2,500 raised for breast cancer research in just the second edition of the event last year, the Ottawa Ice are looking forward to their annual "pink game" against the Gloucester Devils with the same type of enthusiasm they've shown in knocking around their opponents thus far in their National Ringette League season.
The Ice roll into the 1 p.m. match on Sunday, Jan. 22, at Jim Durrell Recreation Complex with the fewest losses of any team in the NRL, carrying an outstanding 17-1-1 record.
"This is a group that is committed to it and sets the bar quite high," says Ice coach Al Bateman. "Their motto is to be the toughest team to play against in the league. Every time someone looks and sees Ottawa in their schedule, they don't look forward to it."
With most now in their mid-20s, Bateman sees a team full of players who are "coming into their own" this season.
"It takes them four or five years in the league to mature enough and become your main players," he says. "We're a young team, and we get better every year."
Team Canada member Katie Lugg leads the way with 29 goals and 36 assists in 19 games for the Ice, while Jayme Simzer has 32 goals of her own, but what makes Ottawa such a tough opponent in the view of Devils veteran Colleen Hagan is their depth.
Kyrie Love, Alex Bateman, Lyndsay Whyte, Jenna Love, Jenna McBride and Chloe Laframboise are all scoring at better than a point-a-game pace.
"They have some incredible talent across their lineup," says Hagan, also a national team player. "They work very, very well together."
With a 9-7-1 record, it's been a decent season to date for the Devils as well. The upcoming match will be the third and final meeting between the rivals from the capital, with Ottawa taking the first two by scores of 7-3 and 8-3.
"They're a good, competitive team for us, although every time we play them, I think we go in giving them too much credit," says Hagan.
Coming off an impressive sweep over Cambridge, Richmond Hill, Whitby and Waterloo on a Jan. 7 and 8 road trip, the Ice are red hot heading into the match against the Devils, however Bateman doesn't think it will be an easy two points.
"Gloucester always plays us tough," says Bateman, whose goaltender, Torie Goble, was named an NRL first star for December. "Even though we typically prevail, we never have an easy game."
The pink game usually attracts a large crowd with supporters from many local minor ringette associations, and Bateman sends an open invitation to anyone else who wants to check out the highest level of ringette in Canada, and the world.
"These are excellent athletes and great role models," Bateman adds. "And this is an annual event that everyone pitches in and thoroughly enjoys."
Tickets are $5 for general admission and $2 for ringette players.
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