The Esso Cup is only 59 days away and the Hawks are continuing the Manitoba Female Midget Hockey League playoffs.

"At the start of the year, it was awesome. We had lots of players excited to make the team to play in the Esso Cup," explained Hawks manager Jody Scott. "I won't lie to you it's kind of died off since then. Not the parents, but the player's aspect has died off because they are focused on winning the league championship and that's our goal."

Pembina Valley swept its best-of-five quarterfinal series over the Central Plains Capitals and will start its semi-final series with the Winnipeg Avros on February 28th.

"I think that's the key. I think the coaches are concerned about playoffs. They didn't want to get the girls all excited about the Esso Cup and say 'we are already in the Esso Cup, so we don't have to work hard in the playoffs because we are there already'," said Scott.

Scott felt the coaches have done a good job in taking the Esso Cup off the mind of the girls and allowed them to just focus on the task at hand, which is winning the league championship.

As for the planning aspect of the Esso Cup, Scott explained the team doesn't really have much to do with it as the committees are doing the prep work for the week long tournament. 

"I'm kind of the go to between the committee and the team itself. I've been talked to a little bit by the committee about a few little things, but nothing crazy," said Scott. "Once we get closer to the event, they will get in contact with me, for me to work with the team. Basically, the Hawks are the host team. They show up and they play."

Scott noted the girls are going to be like every other team involved in the tournament, in which they will be having to stay in the hotels during the week of the games and will be transported to and from the rink just like every other team. The added bonus for hosting this tournament is the fan support is a lot closer to their games, which could give a little boost to the girls on the ice. 

The Esso Cup will take place April 23rd to 29th at the Access Event Centre in Morden.

Previous Volume's;

Road To The Esso Cup: Volume 1