Saints hope to learn from home tournament

The Portage Collegiate Saints faced some challenging opponents this weekend at their home tournament. PCI fell in their opening matchup 4-0. They kept in close in game number two but just couldn't pull away, dropping the contest 1-0.

By their final game of the tournament, head coach Jo-Anne Clark-Gillespie says the girls were starting to get a little frustrated, however, that shows they're passionate.

"We do a lot of things right but then we have a hard time picking up the puck and carrying it. So, they're starting to get a little frustrated but I think they're seeing that it's coming," Clark-Gillespie explains. "It's all a learning process this year as we have such a young team. It's never nice to go 0-3 in your home tournament and never score a goal but it was more of a team bonding thing."

The head coach notes it's great to be able to put on a tournament like this in Portage.

"I was talking to the Fort Francis coach, and he was thanking us and talking about how much they loved the facility. I think they probably saw the parade of lights last night and drove around town and were like, 'What a nice city.' It's nice that we get those teams from out of town to get to see what we have here. I never have any problem filling our tournament up. It's just a good opportunity for everybody to experience some different teams in a nice facility."

While they were unable to pick up a victory, PCI still showed quite a few bright spots this weekend, according to Clark-Gillespie.

"We're doing okay getting into position in our own end and breaking out. I've been really impressed with some of our younger girls. Brooke Henderson is picking up the game of hockey very well. Tillie Botterill gives 110 per cent every time she's on the ice. Alexis Waldner moving from D to forward, she does very good with that," Clark-Gillespie continues. "There's a lot of work to do but they're willing to work hard and try to improve."

The Saints will hit the road Tuesday and be back on home ice on Thursday, December 8, as they welcome the Springfield Sabres to the BDO Centre.