Provincial hope still alive for Pronghorns Ringette

By Lethbridge Herald on February 12, 2024.

Submitted by University of Lethbridge Pronghorns Ringette – 

In a thrilling display of skill and teamwork, the Pronghorns Ringette team kept their Open A Provincial alive with two games on Sunday against Calgary’s Wild and Resurge.  

The Team knew that points were needed to secure one of the top four places in the CORA Open A League, but it wouldn’t be easy as their first game was against the current #1 in the standings. 

From the opening faceoff, it was evident that both teams were prepared to give their all. The teams were evenly matched, and the play was back and forth for the first 6 minutes with both teams’ defensive lineups holding strong and both goalies making some athletic saves. 

Sadly, the Wild drew first blood with a goal after 6 minutes but this did not deter the Pronghorns who turned up the pressure and drew even and then went in front with a pair of goals from #3 Keely Poole, assisted by the Captain, Francesca Teskey.  

The first period ended at 2-2 which was a true representation of the first 23 minutes of play.  The Pronghorns fitness and determination shone through in the second period, and they exhibited exceptional skill and coordination, much to the delight of their supporters in the stands. Their relentless determination and unwavering focus propelled them forward, driving home each opportunity with unwavering precision and they responded to a single goal from the Wild with 4 goals: 2 from Rachel Bushfield and 1 each for Millie Teskey and Rhyan Martel. A great win (6-3) against the top team and 2 points in the bag.  Carly Crone face 31 shots for the Pronghorns.

With only a couple of hours rest, The Pronghorns were on the ice again at Winsport against an equally talented team (also above them in the standings), Calgary Resurge.  

Despite facing formidable opposition, the Pronghorns remained undeterred, rallying together to overcome every challenge thrown their way. Their unity and camaraderie were evident on the ice, as they worked seamlessly as a cohesive unit to match a team with fresh legs and a similar hunger for points. 

The Pronghorns went 2-0 up after 10 minutes of play with goals from Kennedy Poole and Millie Teskey and before the end of the first Francesca Teskey and Kylie Williams each added a goal to make the score 4-2 at the half.  Early in the second, Keely Poole added another and it looked like The Pronghorns were on their way to another victory but Resurge had other plans with 3 goas to tie the score 5-5.  With almost 10 minutes of play remaining, the fans were on the edge of their seats and the Pronghorns defense held strong with strong performances from Brianna Dittmer, Kennedy Lanigan, Alexis Tower, Erica Creaghan, Hanna Heidal and Ali Fornier supporting Carley in goals resulted in a 5-5 tie, but the Pronghorns came away with a well-earned point.

They all returned to Lethbridge with their heads held high and their dreams of going to Provincials still well and truly alive.  

Another double header is on the schedule for Feb. 25 in Stavely against Calgary’s Excel and Heat.