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HAY RIVER
The Moosehide Mammas didn't have quite the showing they were hoping for at the Hazardous Tournament in Hay River.

Entering the tournament on March 2, the Fort Simpson team was feeling confident, having won the Hockey Bags Invitational in Fort Smith in mid-January. The team got off to a difficult start, however, in Hay River.

Their first game of the tournament was against a Yellowknife team, competitors the Mammas hadn't played against in approximately three years.

"We were really nervous," said Laurie Ozmun, the Mamma's captain and goalie.

The game ended in a 8-0 loss for the Mammas and Yellowknife went on to win the tournament. The Mammas regained some of their confidence with a strong 4-0 win against High Level later on Saturday afternoon. Erin Wyatt, Teresa Chilkowich, Kristen Morrison and Ashleigh Cudmore scored the team's goals.

The Mammas went on to lose 2-1 in a very close game to Hay River 2. The teams played two 25-minute periods and the score was tied going into the second period thanks to a goal by Morrison.

On Sunday, the Mammas played their last game of the tournament against Hay River 1, losing 4-1. The loss tied the team in last place with High Level coming out of the round robin.

Thirteen Moosehide Mammas travelled to the tournament. They were coached by Chris Hewitt and Raymond Horassi. Despite their low place in the standings, Ozmun said the team remained upbeat about the tournament.

"We skated our hearts out," she said.

"We just found it great to finally leave town and play against other women."

Although the Mammas enjoy their practices, it is nice to compete against unfamiliar hockey players, Ozmun said.

It was good to play against Yellowknife and High Level, two teams the Mammas hadn't met on the ice yet this season, she said.

The Mammas appreciated the hospitality shown in Hay River and will be returning next year, she said.

The team plans to regroup and practise for the fifth annual Polar Pond Hockey in Hay River, scheduled for March 15 to 17. The Mammas will be sending two teams to the tournament.

The Mammas plan to end their season by hosting a fundraising Mother's Day Brunch on May 12 and by organizing the Golf Fore the Cure women's golf tournament on June 15.

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