REGINA - It’s been 24 years but Team Saskatchewan's ringette team is looking to step back on the podium.
As the sun rises in Charlottetown, Saskatchewan’s ringette team is getting set to hit the ice and play for a bronze medal. The last, and only, medal won by a Saskatchewan ringette team at the Canada Winter Games was a bronze medal back in 1999.
They meet the hosts from PEI on Saturday afternoon, a team they beat once already in the tournament.
"We’ve been gearing up these last six weeks, and are feeling ready," said head coach Mel Brockman back on Sunday, as the team was preparing to open the tournament. "Those little things we’ve been working on, we’re starting to execute and put it all together, so we think we’re gonna put on a good show at the tournament."
And put on a good show they have. Ringette has been one of the more electric venues here on the island.
After dropping their first two games, Team Sask stormed back to reach a semi-final on Friday, including a dramatic come-from-behind win in the quarter-final against New Brunswick.
Brockman, a former player, was a member of the Saskatchewan team that won bronze in ‘99.
"I remember the experience being like a mini Olympics," explained Brockman. "I was the youngest in the group so it was super exciting. We were the only Saskatchewan team to ever medal, which was really cool!"
Brockman’s coaching staff uses that success from 99 to motivate her current team to achieve a similar goal for themselves.
The connection between the two teams runs deeper than just Brockman. Assistant coach Daina Seymour also played on the ‘99 team alongside Brockman. Sheryl Bird, an assistant coach on this year's team, coached both Seymour and Brockman on the ‘99 bronze medal winning team.
"Daina brought the medal to the tournament," said Brockman. "It shows the players that, if you put in the work, stick to the process, and believe in yourself, there’s no reason we can’t do it again."
When asked about the medal, Team Saskatchewan Assistant Captain, Madeline Stang instantly started to smile.
"We’re all super pumped," said Stang. "We have a poster that has the medals on it in our dressing room. It reminds us of why we’re here and what we want!."
"I believe in us, and I’m super excited to show what we’ve been working on!"
On Saturday, the girls will get their chance to repeat the success their coaches had 24 years ago.
