INVUIK - For Sydney Dunlop, anything less than a gold medal at this weekend's territorial high school hockey championships will be a disappointment.

"We've got speed, scorers and we play together," said the smooth-skating rear guard after a tough team practice on Friday night.

Ryan Ballas-Kuzman goes one-on-one against his SHSS teammate, goalie Colton Greenough. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photos

"I'm pretty sure we will get first. I really like our chances."

The three-team championships will be played in Hay River. Samuel Hearne Secondary School will participate in the tournament for the first time. The squad will compete in the age 15 and under division against the home team and Yellowknife.

Dunlop isn't putting too much pressure on herself. She'll keep her game simple.

"I just have to get it to the shooters, that's my job," she said.

Steven Alldridge, the squad's 13-year-old power forward, said he's also confident in the team's ability to come out on top.

"I'm pretty stoked," he said. "I think we can score some goals. We're a good passing team. If we play like we can, than we'll have a pretty good chance."

The tournament will feature a double round robin format, meaning each team will face off against each other twice. The two top point-getters will play in the gold medal game.

Since the final cuts were made a couple of months ago, the squad has been practising on ice twice a week with some group cardio sessions in between. Coach Brian Drake, who's also a teacher at the school, said the team is prepared to compete.

"I expect them to perform to the skill level they're capable of," he said. "I know and they know they can compete with those teams. I'm expecting a lot of close games."

He said the team's speed and solid chemistry will work to its advantage.

"I've talked to them about staying focused and not getting down on themselves and keeping a positive energy and supporting each other. That's what I want to see on the ice."

After the tournament Drake said he's planning to schedule some matches against Fort McPherson's school hockey team throughout the season.