The Drumheller Drumstix returned Alberta women’s rec hockey back to the Memorial Arena this past weekend. Sadly, the Drumstix were defeated in the final, but a great time was had by all.
Four teams made the trip to Drumheller, the Beiseker Bullets, Calgary Blue Hares, Cremona Survivors, and the Dixon Dambusters. The Drumstix divided themselves into two teams to make a total of six.
The action started on Friday, March 9, continued throughout the weekend, and finished up late in the afternoon on Sunday.
In the final game, the Drumstix faced the Blue Hares, but lost 1-3. In the B final, the Dambusters defeated the Survivors 9-1. The Dinoscores, the second Drumheller team, won 2-1 over the Bullets in the C final.
“We pulled off a great tournament thanks to Reg and the rest of the arena staff, the refs, volunteers, fans, the party at O’Sheas, and Kadena Phillips, who masterminded the entire weekend,” said Karen McMillan, one of the original Dinoscores. “It was incredible!”
Fans came to cheer on the ladies, including a family visiting from Mexico.
“They were waiting for a museum tour, but dropped by for the whole day on Sunday. They had never seen live hockey and our tournament was a lot of fun for them,” explained McMillan. “They got pictures with our team. You could call them tourist fans. It was hilarious!”
The Drumstix started 20 years ago as the Dinoscores. Four of the founding players, McMillan, Ann Wade, Dawn Sullivan, and Tracey Herman, still play. This is the first tournament the team has hosted in several years.
For the fans, a Mexican family who skipped visiting the museum to watch some live hockey, and the players ,the weekend was special.
“Playing hockey alongside by daughter, it’s my dream come true,” said McMillan.
