FORT NELSON, B.C.
The Moosehide Mammas had to adapt their playing strategies during their first and only tournament of the season.

The Moosehide Mammas competed in the Fort Nelson Icehawks Hockey Tournament in Fort Nelson, B.C. from March 29 to 30. The Fort Simpson athletes included, back row from left, coach Owen Rowe, Brenda Moreau, Kristen Morrison, Andrea Mitchell, Sydney Rowe, Vanessa Murtsell, Stephanie Cudmore, Amy Stipdonk, Amy Chin, Kelsey Clattenburg, Ashley Menicoche, Teresa Chilkowich and coach Alex Roche. In the front row, Caitlin Blyth, Kelley Andrews-Klein, Cydney Nahanni-Kwasney, Laurie Nadia, Val Gendron and Erin Wyatt. - photo courtesy of Pam FitzRoy

The Fort Simpson team traveled to northern B.C. to compete in the Fort Nelson Icehawks Hockey Tournament from March 29 to 30.

It was the first time the Mammas had competed in the tournament, and against the other teams from the province.

"We had a fabulous time," said Laurie Nadia, one of the team's goalies and the president of the Moosehide Mammas.

"They were really excited to have us there."

With one look at the artificial ice they were going to be playing on, the 17 athletes realized it was regulation size and much larger than the ice in the Fort Simpson arena.

The Mammas also quickly realized that the B.C. teams have a different approach to the sport.

"It was a more physical game than what we're used to," Nadia said.

The Mammas lost their first game to to Clearview 5-1 on Saturday morning. Their second game at noon was closer with a 3-2 loss to Buick.

"It helped boost our confidence," Nadia said.

The team became more accustomed with the physicality of the game and the size of the rink with each match. With three lines of forwards and two of defense with a rotator on each, the athletes were able to stay well-rested so they could concentrate on playing hard, she said.

In a back-to-back game at 1:30 p.m., the Mammas put their adaptations to use, tieing the Fort Nelson Icehawks 5-5.

Tied for third coming out of the round robin, the Icehawks and the Mammas faced off again on Sunday morning. The game tied at 2-2 forcing it into overtime. The Mammas lost after the Icehawks scored about two minutes into overtime.

"Even losing in overtime is still great considering the level of players we were playing against," Nadia said.

The players were upbeat about the tournament despite the losses and hope to be invited back next year.

"We still felt that we played really well," she said.

Coaches Owen Rowe and Alex Roche traveled with the team. Without them, the team wouldn't have done as well, she said.

"They kept the ladies in line and motivated them to play hard," said Nadia.