The Richmond Devils proved they can thrive on and off the ice.
The women's hockey team laced up runners instead of skates to participate in Hockey Night in Canada's Play On - a four-on-four street tournament. The 10th annual event takes place across the country over an eight week period. The Metro Vancouver stop was held at Coquitlam Centre and featured over 350 teams in competitive and recreation divisions.
The Devils opened the tournament with a 7-4 loss to the Goaldiggers, then slipped past the BC Stars 8-7 in a shootout. The girls were then on the other end of a shootout result against the Wellwoods before saving their best hockey for last.
Richmond defeated the Goaldiggers 3-1 in the semi-finals, before topping the B.C.
Stars 5-2 in the championship game.
The result means the Devils have qualified to represent B.C. at the Play On National Championships in Yarmouth, NS in September.
"We worked really well together. Played with intensity but still had fun," said Devils player Renée Romain. "We worked hard and were able to really showcase our skills and it paid off by winning the tournament which was a bonus. I really enjoyed it and would definitely play again next year. It was a very organized tournament."
The initial intention of entering the tournament was to have some off-season fun and provide added exposure to the club and the South Coast Female Amateur Hockey League.
"We went into the event just hoping for some great competition and an enjoyable weekend," added teammate Natalie Korenic. "I don't think we really went into it expecting to win. There was a lot of talent and we really had some tough fought games. Overall it was an amazing event."
Last year's Nationals were played in Niagara Falls where a section of downtown was closed the entire weekend for the tournament. The event featured 10 rinks, and over 15,000 spectators.
Television coverage was provided by CBC as part of Sports Day in Canada. The men's champions (Trois Rivieres, Quebec) were awarded a $25,000 cash prize, and the women's champions (Toronto, Ontario) were awarded $5,000.
