Seven visiting atom hockey teams recently descended upon the Sundre Arena to play in the Huskies' annual home tournament.
Although the local squad struggled through its first two games, the Huskies managed to come out on top during the D final.
“Our team had a rough first couple of games,” said coach Jamie Hogarth.
“But they were learning from every game — it was really good that way.”
They faced off first against the Medicine Hat Hurricanes, who won that match 8-2. The Hurricanes went on to win the tournament. The second game was against the Olds Grizzlys, who claimed a 4-1 win. The Huskies' third and final game was against an Edmonton-area squad called the Whitemud Cobras. The local team was able to clinch a close 4-3 victory, said Corrie Martyn, team manager.
“The last game turned out really well,” said Hogarth.
“They went for it and did really well. We scored the winning goal in the last minute of the game. It was a big nail-biter until the end — I think it took 10 years off my life!”
Following challenging tiering rounds in the regular season, the atom team — which is now in the Central Alberta Hockey League's tier 5 — has steadily been improving its speed and positioning on the ice, the coach said.
“We've got a good couple of solid forwards with a lot of hustle in them.”
Additionally, the team's defence has demonstrated an ability to work well together, he said, attributing the overall strides forward to the squad's coaching and managing staff.
“They're all heart and hustle,” he said about the Huskies.
“You can see they want to play hockey.”
Coaches have focused during practices on positioning, staying on the puck, as well as concentrating on getting as many shots on goal as possible, he said.
“It's always fun watching the kids play and learn.”
While the tournament helps to raise funds for the team as well as the Sundre Minor Hockey Association, it also has a beneficial ripple effect throughout the local business community, said Martyn.
“It brings so many people into town,” she told the Round Up, adding several teams stayed in town for the weekend, which results in a significant generation of additional economic activity in Sundre.
