Havre hockey not just for the boys

Hockey has become a sport that many in Havre have enjoyed over the years, especially considering the different teams that youths can play as they grow up.

From bantam hockey to high school hockey, there are many opportunities to participate on the ice.

And there are two high school hockey teams, including the girls team, the Havre Lady Ice Hawks, who are competing in the 19U. On top of that, the Lady Ice Hawks have put on quite the show this season, with only one loss, to the Glasgow Ice Dawgs, so far.

Amanda Hamilton and Brad Holland have coached a tough girls hockey program this winter. Havre plays against two other teams, Glasgow and the Salmon Rapids, throughout the season. To play two other teams often is tough enough in itself, but the Lady Ice Hawks have made big strides and Holland is proud of how the season has been going, especially after going 3-1 at the U19 tournament in the Havre Ice Dome last weekend..

"I think overall, we started off a little rough on Friday night," Holland said. "But the girls turned it around through the rest of the weekend and the success shows. They came together as a team; victories were had and it was a nice way to end the weekend on a win."

Havre junior Jocelyn Staples, a big key part of the Havre girls hockey team, is proud of what the team accomplished in the tournament, as well.

"We worked hard, had fun and tried our best," Staples said.

The Lady Ice Hawks are made up of 13 girls with varying ages from 14-19 years old. The roster includes Rhoda Peterson, Olivia Albrecht, Marki Benjamin, Paisley Branden, Frances Hanson, Heather Herring, Bradi Holland, Clara Holland, Danielle Kovacich, Mackenzie Kuhn, Jocelyn Staples, London Toldness and Grace Ymzon.

This is Peterson's, senior year on the ice, for both the Ice Hawks and the Lady Ice Hawks. Peterson has been a big factor for the girls team and has become a key leader in games.

Her journey with Havre has been a great one and she has a lot of good feelings about making an impact.

"It's definitely different from the boys," Peterson said. "It is a confidence booster because it is a different team dynamic. On the girls team we can be more confident and do a lot more because we're not restricted to the positions that the boys don't play on the other team."

Havre's schedule for the remainder of the season includes three more games against Salmon. The series will be on the road against the Rapids in Salmon, Idaho, Feb. 14-16. Then the Lady Ice Hawks compete against Glasgow and Salmon once again in the state competition in Bozeman Feb. 28-March 1. The schedule may sound repetitive, but Havre has had a great series of games against the two teams throughout the season. Holland sees the remainder of the year as a testament to see if the team can finish what it has started.

"We get to go down to Salmon and play more league games," Holland said. "Hopefully we'll be strong and victories. That's what you always want to do. Hopefully we'll be getting ready for the state tournament, continue on and be successful there."

With only one loss on the year, it is clear Havre has been performing well as the season has progressed. To play the same to teams and stay ahead in the competition is a big deal. Not only that, but Holland is glad to see the team's chemistry with one another as another big impact on the year.

"I think what stands out on the ice for the girls is when they come together as a team," Holland said. "They play as a team, play positively and work together. That success shows, it's fun to watch and it's very exciting. They're playing one of the hardest games there is to play, so when they work together as a team and success happens, it's exciting."

With some big games against Salmon coming Feb. 14-16 and state in Bozeman Feb. 28-March 1, the Lady Ice Hawks will have a lot of time to keep getting better and prepare for the challenges ahead. With the season Havre has had so far, there will be a lot of exciting moments ahead for the group of girls.