craigdailypress.com

Breaking their losing streak and boosting their spirit, the Craig hockey team Saturday won two non-league games.

The Midget 14-18 team played Vernal, Utah, and won the first game 3-1 before taking the second 6-3.

Although still 0-15 in league play, the hard work Craig’s hockey team has been putting in all season finally resulted in wins and a confidence boost.

“We’re pumped,” said coach Tanya Ferguson. “The players were pretty excited. These are the first games we’ve won. They played really well and really hard.”

Ferguson said Vernal was the type of team Craig was more fairly matched to compete with.

After switching leagues this year, Ferguson said her teams has to play many Denver teams, who skate all year and have tryouts seeing over 150 kids to choose from.

“We always have really good games with Vernal, they’re a good team to play,” Ferguson said. “They’re tough but good games. Skill wise we’re really similar. It’s been a difference for our kids, we’ve been trying to have them attack the puck but they’ve never quite had the chance to do it.”

Ferguson said her team took advantage of equal skill match up and played hard and aggressive, outskating Vernal and keeping the puck on their side.

“I’m proud of how they played,” Ferguson said. “They all worked really well together.”

The team travels to Boulder next weekend for a tournament where they play one of Steamboat’s club teams, Glenwood and Boulder Lafayette.

Ferguson said she hopes her team will take on this next set of games full of confidence coming off the wins.

Darian Warden can be reached at 875-1793 or dwarden@craigdailypress.com