Big finish guaranteed to Wild's ringette season
The StarPhoenix – October 19, 2009
By Scott Connell
The National Ringette League championship is coming to Saskatoon on April 5 to 10 and the Saskatoon Wild are chomping at the bit.
After just missing a spot in last year's tournament in Prince Edward Island, the Wild are eager to make a splash before the hometown crowd.
"Our goal this year is to peak at nationals with them being here in Saskatoon," Wild coach Dwayne Andreen said. "As the host team we get a bye. Last year we lost by one goal in overtime to go to P.E.I.
"We deserve the opportunity to be there (this year) we think."
After finishing with a 10-10 record last year in what Andreen said was their strongest season, the Wild have to deal with a turnover in the lineup. Sjanne Beattie, who had 23 goals, and Loretta Giocoli, who had 20, have gone to the Calgary RATH. Others have hung up their skates.
The Wild welcome two graduates from their AA belle program -- Tori Livingstone and Michelle Ritchie -- plus Bryanna King from Regina.
Key returnees are reigning league MVP Saala Kyhala, Erin Cumpstone, who finished second in Western Conference in scoring, last season's rookie of the year Shaylan Glow, defenders Mel Brockman and Kim Brown and goalies Juliegh Clarke and Deejai Mountford..
"We're looking good offensively and defensively," Brown said. "The rookies are looking good."
Off the ice, money is always an issue, Andreen said, especially with the NRL's new 30-game schedule featuring home-and-home series with every team in the conference.
At the grassroots level, Andreen said ringette is faring well again after experiencing a drastic drop, losing girls to hockey.
"It's kind of like fastball and baseball -- they take one or the other because they're each so different," Andreen said. "Our numbers are really good, our novice and petite numbers are really strong again. There's a bit of a lull in the middle, so our juniors are in tough."
The Saskatoon Wild start their season on the road Saturday in Winnipeg against the Prairie Fire. The team's home opener is Nov. 7 against the NRL's defending champions, the Edmonton WAM.
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