The Penhold Amazons are going for gold.
Although last season the team was sorrowfully beaten by the Fort Saskatchewan Furry in the final game, they aren't going to let that break their spirits and are playing for the championship title this year.
“We came so close last year, this year we want to win it,” said Tracy Leiper, director of the Amazons, who play in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
“It just made us want it more.”
Tryouts for the team begin this week at the Penhold Regional Multiplex, with games starting in early October.
Leiper has been with the team since it started five years ago and said she played a big part in designing it. The team took gold and the champion title back in 2010. She said it's time to do it again.
She explained that although the Amazons did not take home gold last year, they still beat out archrivals, the Red Deer Eagles, which in itself is an accomplishment.
“The Red Deer Eagles have been our rivals for a very long time now, probably due to location and how close they are to us,” she said.
“We play hard. Our girls are from Central Alberta and everyone knows central Albertans play hard.”
But aside from the fact that the Amazons train hard and play tough, Leiper said they owe a lot of their success to their fans.
She explained that one of the major contributors to the Amazons' success goes towards the fan base, both in the stands and around the community.
“We have over 500 followers on Facebook and fans from all over, not just Penhold,” said Leiper.
“They really make a difference in how we play and how far we get as a team.”
And when it comes to getting far as a team, coach Doug Demott said that he plans to take the team all the way.
“ I'd like to win it this year,” he said. “We came so close last year. I think that with some hard work, we can take it.”
Demott said he's going to put major focus on scoring -- one weakness of the team.
“We're strong in the net and on the ice, but I'd like to see more scoring,” he said.
This will be Demott's second year coaching the team. He added that anyone who hasn't seen female hockey should make an effort to see it this year.
“It's a very elite, but very intense game,” he said. “I think it's something everyone should see at least once.”
Tryouts for the team start Sept. 18.
