The Comox Valley Comets U12 ringette team travelled over to the mainland at the end of February for the annual Timbits PoCo tournament.
Amidst very wintry weather the team arrived in Port Coquitlam and played a fast-paced first game. They were up against a well-coached team from the Fraser Valley. With an awesome show of offensive force they pulled out a last minute 5-4 win, marking the very first win in the team's history.
The next game was played later that afternoon. Excellent goalkeeping and a powerful offence were not enough to overcome a tough Richmond team. The final of three games went off in the middle of a horrendous snow storm which made just getting to the rink an achievement.
The team again fought valiantly, but came up short in the end despite an exciting last second rush to the net. The loss was quickly forgotten by the players during the wind-up bowling and pizza party put on by the tournament organizational committee. For parents who may have needed more reassurance, it was learned that the competition from the Lower Mainland (where the game has really taken off) play three or four times a week. The Comox parents were able to rationalize the emotional loss and look forward to next year as the improvement has been incredible over the past year.
The Comox Valley Comets are currently in a building phase. The team is made up of boys and girls ranging in age from seven to 13, with many being new skaters. As a sport in development on the Island it has been a challenge to find competition, so it was very exciting to go to a tournament where the opponents would be kids around the same size and ability.
Previously the team had travelled to Victoria to play against some 11- to 13-year-olds and to make a fair and fun competition the teams were mixed.
The Comox Valley also has a masters' ringette team. Both the youth and masters teams have weekly practice times and occasional games. The season is now ended for 2010-2011, but the action will start up again in September.
Anyone who is interested in playing should look up the website http://www.comoxvalleyringette.com.
Ringette is a fast-paced game played on ice. It is very popular on the prairies and has been slowly finding its way west. The rules are very different than hockey and the emphasis is on skating ability, speed, team play and pinpoint passing.