The ice is in and is awaiting the start of the 2017 Esso Cup
The Esso Cup is only 11 days away and the Pembina Valley Hawks have been playing a few exhibition games in between practices to remain sharp before hosting the national championship.
Pembina Valley recently played a game against the Manitoba Women's Junior Hockey League's Grey Owls and skated to a 4-0 victory.
Not only is this an exciting time for the players and the rest of the team, but it's also exciting for the parents who will get to watch their daughters play for a national championship.
"It's just a fantastic experience for the girls and for girls hockey in Manitoba," said Gary Romijn the father of goaltender Kadynce Romijn. "It's a national event and is Hockey Canada run. You can see it in the rink now with all of the major sponsors. It doesn't happen very often that you have a chance to host it. For any girls on the Hawks this year, to be a part of that, to be the hosts, and win their way to the Esso Cup as well is just going to be a tremendous experience for them."
As the host team, the Hawks will play all of their games during the 7 p.m. game during the week of the tournament.
"I think it's really neat that they are able to play in the 7 p.m. draw all week. I think that'll help with the hometown crowd and them feeling supported," said Marcy Platt, mother of forward Brooklyn Platt. "It's kind of nice in the sense that they are the only team that sort of has a set schedule Sunday through to Thursday. As where they are eating at the same time every day and they can kind of get into a bit of a routine. It's a good time of year, hockey's done and perhaps the farmers aren't in the fields yet. So, we are hoping for some good crowds and support for the girls."
Pembina Valley will kick off their round robin action against the West representative Sunday evening. On Monday they'll square off with Pacific, Tuesday against the Ontario representative, Wednesday the Hawks will hit the ice against Quebec, and wrap up the round robin against Atlantic.
"These girls have been playing great hockey for the past month/month and a half. I think that's the big thing. They are playing well at the right time and anything can happen," said Tim Hutchinson, father of Hawks captain Mackenzie Hutchinson. who is lucky enough for this to be his second go around at the Esso Cup. His older daughter Madison Hutchinson, was the captain of the Hawks when they won the organization's first Esso Cup in 2012.
Tim is lucky enough for this to be his second go around at the Esso Cup. His older daughter Madison Hutchinson, was the captain of the Hawks when they won the organization's first Esso Cup in 2012. This time there won't be any traveling to Charlottetown as it will be played in the Hawks home rink.
"I think it's nice to have it here, you don't have to travel. The girls are playing in their own rink, and they have their own dressing room," said Tim. "I think there's a little bit more pressure on them, but with the way they've been playing I don't think there's much they'll have to worry about."
The Esso Cup will take place April 23rd to 29th at the Access Event Centre in Morden.
"Just watching the girls go through something that's pretty special," said Romijn. "You're one of five teams in the country who get the chance to play for this. Whether you're in amateur hockey, junior or college ranks you don't get that opportunity very often. I think we need to let them enjoy it as much as they can. Let the girls enjoy it and take it all in. Enjoy the time with their group and for us as parents with everyone coming from across the country, it's pretty special."
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