The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Heading into post season as number one seed
Ever since the Gunnison and Crested Butte girls U19 hockey programs joined forces, they’ve taken the Mountain States Girls Hockey League by storm. The Blades reached the finals the past four years in a row, winning the title last year, and are headed into the state tournament this year as the number-one seed.
“It’s been an outstanding situation since we joined together,” says head coach Tony Lambert. “It’s taken us from being an average team to becoming the team to beat.”
Lambert knew the league would be a bit tougher this season with rival programs improving and the Blades playing all season with targets on their backs.
“The league this year is much more even and the top four teams are really close,” says Lambert. “Every game has been a battle for sure and every team seems to show up to play us.”
Nevertheless, the Blades have been handling the challenge, losing just one game all season, and Lambert and the team believe there’s only one team that can truly give them trouble.
“I think it’s been a fantastic season and the girls have realized that the only people who can beat them, is themselves,” says Lambert.
One difference in the Blades this year from last year’s squad is depth. The Blades have always had a dominant first line that carried the team, but this year Lambert has seen his younger players step into pivotal roles.
“The second and third lines have been producing,” says Lambert.
The team was handed a blow early in the season, losing Kaitlyn Seifert for the season, but they’ve turned misfortune into a rallying call for the season and the playoffs.
“We’ve had a goal,” says Lambert. “Go out and do it for Kaitlyn.”
The tournament is at the Edge Arena in Littleton and five teams are vying for the title starting on Friday, February 21. The Blades open with two games on Friday and then return to the ice on Saturday for two more. The top two teams from those two days then head to the championship game on Sunday, for a total of five games over three days, potentially.
“The state tournament has become a battle royale,” says Lambert. “It’s super tough to keep everybody focused and keep them from getting hurt. But they know what to do and they know what it takes to be champions.”
