After a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of the Sherwood Park Steele in last year's Alberta Junior Female Hockey League (AJFHL) final, the Cochrane Chaos are back in the playoffs and are looking for redemption.
The Chaos finished the season atop of the South Division with a 19-6-2 record, good for 40 points and will face off with the fourth place Calgary Jags who finished the year with a 6-21-1 record, amassing 16 points on the season. Cochrane defeated Calgary in all four meetings this season, outscoring them 11-4 in the process.
The most recent match up with the Jags on Feb. 16 was the closest of the four with Cochrane taking a 3-2 decision in overtime. Cochrane took an early lead off a goal from Kari Pedder and that 1-0 score stood up until the third period where Calgary scored twice but was responded by a Chaos goal off the stick of Brooklyn Carels to send the game to overtime. Audrey Buston scored the game winner in the extra frame and gave the visitors the win.
Chaos forward Summer Gibbons said the team is right where they want to be and are feeling confident heading into the best-of-three first round series.
"I think this season has gone really well. The team this year had something special where we all instantly clicked and it felt as if we had known each other already ... things have been nothing but amazing since the beginning of the year," Gibbons said on the team's regular season success. "I don't think it has set in yet that our regular season is over only because of how fast it went. The first round against the Jags is going to be really exciting hockey, they are a good team but we know what need's to be done to make it to the next round. We are really looking forward to Game 1."
"We just have to play our style of game that we've been playing all season long. Some of the games we've played against them have been a little close for comfort so we need to make sure we play to the level we're capable of. They are a good team with good defence and goaltending so we need to be ready to go come game time because they are going to battle hard and every shift counts."
Gibbons has had a solid season with the Chaos and played a key role as one of their returning players. Playing on a line with Audrey Buston and Ryann Altwasser, Gibbons finished fourth on the team in scoring with seven goals and eight assists for 15 points in 25 games. Combined with her line mates, the trio put up 36 goals and 71 points.
"There's always room for improvement but I think I've been solid on winning every battle, getting the first shot on net and starting the game strong," Gibbons said. "My line mates in Audrey and Ryann have had an unreal season so far and every time I'm on the ice with them, they push me to be better and help me improve. Without them I think my game would be different."
Gibbons is one of many players who played in last year's league final, something she said the group is using as motivation to make sure the sting of losing doesn't happen again.
"Winning the championship in this league is a big deal and everyone wants it so bad. This team is very competitive and we want it all this year. The girls from last year know how heartbreaking it was to finish the way we did considering how good we did in the regular season and we'll bring everything we've got for playoffs," Gibbons said.
"I think having so many returning players gives us a big edge because most of the girls know what it takes to make it all the way and the disappointment from last year only made us stronger and more prepared. As for the new girls on the team, they've heard how we talk about playoffs and making it all the way so I know how excited and ready they are to compete."
Game 1 of the playoffs will take place on Feb. 23 at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre with puck drop going at 7:15 p.m.
