The latest chapter in a season-long rivalry cost the hosts a berth in the championship game at last weekend’s Western Canadian Ringette Championships.
Richmond entered the Over 18 Division as Team BC thanks to its recent win over Fraser Valley at the provincial championships. The teams would meet two more times at Westerns and it would be the Valley prevailing in the game that mattered the most.
After a 6-3 win by Richmond to conclude round-robin play on Friday night, the rivals faced off the following morning at Minoru Arenas to determine who would face Manitoba later that day at the Richmond Olympic Oval. Fraser Valley rode the terrific goaltending of Chris Flaman to a 3-0 victory, leaving Richmond in the bronze medal position.
Fraser Valley would settle for silver after Manitoba avenged its only loss of the championships with a 6-4 victory.
It was more hard-luck for Richmond in the U19 division.
After completing round-robin play with a 2-2 record, the hosts squared off against Manitoba in a “mini-game” to determine the other semi-final berth.
Manitoba skated to a 2-0 victory, relegating Richmond to the consolation final.
The locals did manage a 4-3 preliminary win against eventual gold medal winner from Kelowna, representing B.C. Goal scorers included Erin Mulligan with a pair, while Natalie Manson and Hailey Takasaki added singles. Enrique Lee was terrific in net with 32 saves as B.C. enjoyed a 35-15 advantage in the shots department.
Richmond also came through with a 2-1 win over Alberta. Takasaki notched both goals.
Alberta dominated the U16 Division from start-to-finish, completing a perfect run with a 6-4 victory over Manitoba, thanks to five second period goals.
The highlight for the hosts was hanging tough with B.C. in a 5-4 overtime loss that featured Hannah Skwarcynski making 59 saves for the winners.
Alberta teams also took two of the three medals in the U14AA Division, while Saskatchewan #1 earned silver.
According to Tournament Chair Laura Takasaki, the event was a huge success with out-of-town teams raving about the rinks.
“Everyone absolutely loved the venues,” said Takasaki. “Getting an opportunity to play in the Oval was a thrill for the players, as well for the parents. Minoru also offered the traditional stadium seating experience and there are not a lot of rinks like that anymore.”
While Takasaki was busy running the championships, her husband Troy saw double duty coaching Richmond’s 18+ and U19 teams.
