The Vernon Venom and the Vernon Thunderwolves are hosting the It’s a Spring Ring Thing tournament starting Friday at Civic Arena with teams from Calgary, Prince George, Delta and the Okanagan.
Both the Vernon U12 teams are in the 10-team extravaganza and have had very successful seasons. The Venom struck gold at the Calgary Esso Golden Ring classic and the Kelowna Sweetheart, where due to road closures, the U12A division folded and the girls moved up to the U14B category.
The Thunderwolves swept the Port Coquitlam Jubilee last weekend, going undefeated and scoring 39 goals with three shutouts.
The T-wolves open the Spring Ring Friday at 8:30 a.m. versus the Shuswap Storm and then meet the Kelowna XLR8 at 4 p.m.
The Venom go up against the highly-ranked Bow View MaDness of Calgary in their first game Friday at 9:45 a.m. and then square off against the West Kelowna Devils at 5:15 p.m.
The semifinals and finals go Sunday afternoon. The Vernon Ringette Association is hosting a free come-try-ringette session Sunday from 11 a.m.-noon at Civic Arena. Players are asked to bring skates and helmets. Sticks will be provided.
Meanwhile, it was a battle of the two Vernon U10 teams Sunday at Kal Tire Place with the Venom outlasting the Ice Breakers in a 12-11 thriller.
Natasha Vienneau pocketed 3+5 for the Venom, while Poppy O’Brien dialed 3+2, Rowin Crebo counted 2+1 and Abby Mahortoff producded 1+2. Other singles came from Deelah Arnold, Kate Holmes and Danika Vienneau in support of Hannah Connolly. Clutch assists were recorded by Cassidy Cruikshank and Sheanna Phelan.
Kiera Horton paced the Ice Breakers with 3+3, while Lucia Manton garnered 3+1, Emily Loose added 2+1 and Ciara Jolie and Sabrina Kennedy each supplied 1+2 and Keira Braddick one goal. Key helpers came from Kassidy Peterson, Ginger Demetrick and Mackenzie Boule. Marlee White turned in a valiant effort in net.
