NEW GLASGOW – The girls hockey team at North Nova Education Centre head to the Annapolis Valley this weekend on a provincial championship quest.
Asked if he feels like his team is an underdog going into NSSAF provincials, Gryphons coach Kevin Willett replied, “Absolutely not. We’re looking forward to going to Windsor to compete for a provincial banner.”
He added that two of the strongest parts of NNEC’s game is that they stress good teamwork and they have strong leadership.
The Gryphons are scheduled to start the tournament at 11 a.m. on Friday, against the C.P. Allen Cheetahs. Their second game is at 6 p.m. versus Park View, while Saturday morning will see them take on the Sir John A. Macdonald Flames at 10 a.m.
Other teams taking part at provincials include Halifax West, Avon View, Lockview and Auburn Drive/Citadel.
Willett said that the foundation provided by the local Pictou County Female Hockey Association pays off when players reach the high school age.
“Pictou County is a huge promoter for female hockey,” he said.
“The skill sets of the girls, when they get to the age of 14, 15 and 16 – it’s evidence of their development in their early years.”
The teams that survive the round robin will play in crossovers starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, with the winners of those two games meeting for a Nova Scotia banner on Sunday afternoon (3 p.m.).
