Fort Smith (Dec 08/06) - The Moose Hide Mamas have kicked off their hockey season with a performance that shows they will be a force to be reckoned with this season.

A nine person team competed on Dec. 2 in the Fort Smith Hockey Bags Invitational Tournament against seven other teams. Although four of the players are brand new to the sport, the Mamas pulled their game together.

"They did really, really well," said Kim Schlosser, the team's captain.

The team spent their first game on Saturday morning against the Fort Smith Fury red team working out their nervousness, said Susie Hanna, the team's president.

Rallying on Saturday afternoon the Mamas played a close game against the Hay River Hazards. Stepping it up a notch they won 5-4.

Three of the goals came from Kristen Morrisson with Hanna and Nicole Cholette also contributing a goal each.

Coming off of their victory, the team met the Fort Smith Fury blue team. The Furies scored the first two goals but the Mamas surged forward to match the goals and tie the game 2-2.

Although the team didn't make it to the semi-finals the tournament was a good experience for both the new players and the whole team, said Hanna.

"The tournament was a success," she said.