Over the Edge + December 1, 2010 15 Women T-Wolves Split Homestand with VIU UNBC wins opening night game, fall short on Saturday BROCK CAMPBELL SPORTS EDITOR Coming off of two losses against Langara the previous weekend, the women T-Wolves were hungry for a win at home over the Vancouver Island University Mariners. A win would not come easy however, as VIU, one of the top teams in the British Columbia Athletics Association, rolled into town. The Mariners possess a lot of backcourt talent and size that make them a difficult matchup. Nonetheless, UNBC stepped up big Friday night, despite starting the game shorthanded with Kady Dandeneau and Sarah Moxley sidelined with injury, and beat the Mariners 65-58. They began Saturday night’s game out front and looked to be carrying momentum from the night before, but UNBC quickly ran out of steam and lost 62—41. Opening night it looked as though the Mariners size would create problems for the T-Wolves as VIU scored several uncontested hoops inside, and UNBC found themselves down early, trailing 22-27 after the first quarter. However, UNBC would turn it around in the second; the T-Wolves controlled the glass, limiting any second chance baskets and managed to hold the Mariners to seven points in the quarter. On offence, it was the Mercedes Vankoughnett show. She scored all ten points in a UNBC 10-2 run that gave the T- Wolves a 32-29 lead. Both teams traded hoops as the half came to a close with UNBC up 38-34. VIU would eventually close the gap and take the lead in the third quarter. It looked as though UNBC forgot what worked for them in the first- half, owning the boards; as a result the Mariners were able to claw back with several offensive put-backs. The fourth quarter began with the T-Wolves down 50-49, but UNBC would regain its lead and hold on for the win. Christine Kennedy put UNBC up by two with an early three-pointer and the next time down the floor dished off to Emily Kaehn for a layup that just beat the shot clock. The T-Wolves lead increased to 61-56 as Kaehn knocked down three crucial free-throws and Vankoughnett scored inside. The Mariners would add one more hoop before having to Christine Kennedy hounoured for all-Canadian Athletic and Scholarly achievment foul and put the T-Wolves on the line, and UNBC put the game out of reach finishing with a 65-58 victory. Vankoughnett finished the night with twenty-one points and Kennedy and Kaehn both chipped in with thirteen. The Mariners top scorer was Brittany Kneivel with fourteen points. On Saturday the T-Wolves got off to a great start, taking an early 18-13 lead in the first quarter. But that was all UNBC could muster as they struggled the rest of the game to put up points. They were held to just five in the second and only managed eighteen the rest of the game. Furthermore, the T-Wolves neglected their rebounding assignments all night; VIU punished them on the glass beating UNBC 49-32 in total rebounds, and # scored twelve second chance points to the T-Wolves zero. Brittany Kneivel once again led the Mariners with seventeen and Katie Pearson added twelve. VIU also got a boost from Jodi Mitchell who scored eight off the , bench. Erin Beckett scored eleven for the T-Wolves, going four for four from the field and three of four from the line, and Christine Kennedy had ten. Jennifer Knibbs and Mercedes Vankoughnett touched on the difference between Friday and Saturday’s game, " “On opening night we came out and played hard, out- rebounded and out-played them, and more importantly took accountability for our roles. Saturday we just BROCK CAMPBELL weren’t focused, we didn’t box out and no one took responsibility. Next weekend we need to come out with a better mindset and be more consistent.” The next game for the T-Wolves is Saturday, November 27th against University of British Columbia Okanagan, at the Northern Sports Centre. Pond Hockey Championship Coming to Prince George West Lake chosen for regional championships January 14-16th BROCK CAMPBELL SPORTS EDITOR The BC Pond Hockey series is ramping up for a busy January. With the Northern Regional Pond Hockey Championships in Prince George and the Western Regional Pond Hockey Championships in Rossland, BC (Jan 14-16th and Jan 28-30th respectively), tournament organizers are gearing up for what promises to be 2 incredible events in two beautiful outdoor settings. Teams of six will lace up for some great 4 on 4 outdoor hockey action on 75’ * 150” outdoor rinks (approximately 80% of the size of an NHL rink), in temperatures ranging from -3 to -15 degrees Celsius. Games are non-stop, 30 minutes long and with no goalies, off-sides or icing calls incredibly fast paced and very entertaining. “The beauty of pond hockey is its’ pure and simple form,” states John Reed tournament organizer for the series. “It takes you back to the day when you were a kid, and that true sense of fun and freedom you had playing with friends on a backyard rink or frozen pond,” states Reed. The site for the Northern Regional Competition is West Lake Provincial Park, a short drive from the hockey metropolis of Prince George, and the site for the Western Regional competition is the boutique mountain resort town of Rossland, BC in the West Kootenays. Both are great venues, and the timing of the Western Regional Championship is such that it coincides with Rossland’s 114th winter carnival. Men’s and Women’s teams can register in a 19+, Masters (35+) and/or newly created Senior Masters division (50+) in a recreational or competitive/ championship category, and are guaranteed a minimum of 4 games including night games under the lights. In either case, this is an event series not to be missed! For more information or to register visit www.bcpondhockey. com. John Reed event organizer took a moment out of his time to answer a few questions for OTE about this exciting tournament. How many years has this event been going on? - It is the third year in Rossland for the Western Regional Championship, and first annual Northern Regional Pond Hockey Championship in PG. How did the idea arise to throw an event like this? - We are affiliated with the Canadian National Pond Hockey Championships in Huntsville, Ontario. Pond Hockey is a great way to get back to the roots of the game and it takes you back to the day when you were playing on a pond or backyard rink. Why was Prince George chosen as a location? - Great city, incredible sports town and all things hockey, very supportive, great people. What sort of numbers do you normally receive? - Looking for between 60 & 100 teams of 6 What has been the response this year? How many teams/ volunteers are currently registered? - Lots of volunteers but we can always use more and team registration is increasing every few days! Do you get a lot of returning teams? Can you discuss some men/women past champions and describe why teams want to come back every year? ONLINE SOURCE Pond Hockey has been a popular Canadian past time for decades - It's a great way to play the game, and pure 100% fun. No goalies, icings or off-sides and no on ice officials. Playing night games outside under tower lights is also a big draw. For those looking to register, what can players expect as a whole from the tournament? - Tons of fun, great atmosphere, fresh air, open skies, new friends, old friends, having a cup of hot chocolate around an outside fire... Winners from the Northern Regional Championship automatically advance to Western Regional Championship. Be sure to register early as it is first come first serve, and with an event like this you can bet spots will fill up quickly.