By Laurence Heinen /
It’s going to be a close race down to the finish, but the SAIT Trojans women’s hockey team is right in the thick of things.
With two games left to play on the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference schedule, the Trojans (13-6-1) were mired in an intense battle for playoff positioning with the first-place Grant MacEwan Griffins (14-4-2). Also in the picture were the University of Calgary Dinos in third spot and the Red Deer Queens in fourth.
“It’s a pretty tight race,” said SAIT forward Bret Seaton, who played her rookie season for the Dinos last year. “You have to show up every night.”
Despite numerous changes in personnel and a new coach in Graham Thomas, the Trojans have held their own this season and are in contention to win their third straight ACAC title.
“I definitely think that if we click, we can win it this year,” said Seaton, who plays on a line with Emily Burton and Sheena Smigelski. “I definitely think we’re one of the best teams in the league. It’s a really young team with a lot of talent.”
In his rookie campaign behind the SAIT bench, Thomas has kept his team competitive despite several changes to his lineup.
“We’ve really had to battle through adversity,” Thomas said. “It’s a special group and they know how to win. If we keep playing the way we can, anything can happen.”
Tied for the team goal-scoring lead at 11 with Burton in late January, SAIT captain Jaime Teichman has also provided solid leadership.
“She’s been a rock for us,” Thomas said.
Fifth-year netminder Natalie Gerstmar has won a pair of titles with the Mount Royal Cougars and backstopped SAIT to a championship last year. After a slow start, she’s turned her season around.
“It’s been really good to see here step up her game,” Thomas said. “She’s been really good the second half.”
In her first season at SAIT, Lindsay Coghlan has given the Trojans a solid tandem in between the pipes.
“She’ll be the best goalie in the league next year,” Thomas predicted.
The defence corps is led by returnee Nicole Hunter, who was named Trojan of the Week on Jan. 28.
“She’s really stepped up her game and stepped up her leadership,” said Thomas, who also commended Sheena Heaton, Michela Gellart and newcomer Christie McCarthy for their play on the blue-line this season. |