47 teams including seven from Manitoba will be competing at the 2018 Canadian Ringette Championships this week at Bell MTS Iceplex and Seven Oaks Arena in Winnipeg.

Those seven include the Eastman Flames U16AA & U19AA teams.

"Typically if we qualify, it's in a different province which has it's own kind of uniqueness," said Flames U19 coach Luc Roy. "To have it here at home and to know we're qualified for it - it's a whole week and we're going to have our home fans - parents, grandparents, friends who can come watch. The girls are pretty excited. It's a pretty exciting thing."

"It's a gruelling week," added Roy. "Two games a day, everyday right until Thursday. If we continue on in the championship round we play two games Friday and then another game on Saturday which is in the medal round at Bell MTS Place. That will be pretty special for the girls too."

The Flames, who lost the provincial final to the BoniVital Angels, went to three out-of-province tournaments this season in order to prepare for the Nationals.

Eastman won gold in Edmonton and Quelph and placed third in Quebec.

"We know we can compete," said Roy. "We're not going to Nationals this year just to participate. We know we're a contender and we'll be disappointed if we don't medal."

There will be 21 teams in the U16 division. Manitoba will be well represented by 4 teams, Team Manitoba (BoniVital Angels), Magic, Eastman Flames and Wild. 18 teams in the U19 division with three teams from host Province, Team Manitoba (BoniVital Angels), Eastman Flames and Magic. Manitoba Intact will be competing in the NRL division.

This is the fifth time the National Ringette Championships are being held in our province.

Winnipeg hosted the inaugural championship in 1979 as well as 1988, 1995 & 2005.


photo courtesy Penny Lesperance

U16AA schedule & scores


U19AA schedule & scores


National Ringette League Division schedule & scores