Sticks and Skates [Wayhaught]

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PURGATORY GAZETTE

SPORTS: Year Three Kickoff for Blue Devils in Purgatory

By: Jeremy Chetri

Season number three with Randy Nedley at the helm is about to kick off tonight for the Blue Devils. Back-to-back playoff berths have team morale high, but questions circle the team as the AB/BC Division has beefed up its competition this year. It's a revenge tour of sorts for the Devils this year, finishing third in the division a season ago before bowing out in the first round of the playoffs, losing to the Calgary Outlaws in five games.

It was a slow offseason for the Devils, just two roster moves to note—Lecia Wilson out (We wish her the best of luck in her retirement), Wynonna Earp in. So what does this mean for the hometown team? Head Coach, Randy "The Sheriff" Nedley, says that not having much roster turnover is good for team chemistry. "We'll call it cautiously optimistic," says Nedley, "There's a lot of work to be done to get where we wanna go, so it was nice to not have to spend valuable time on introductions." The newest member of the Devils is hardly a stranger—to the team or to the town. Earp is a born and bred Purgatorian and the arena bears the name of her great-great-grandfather. It's a part of her legacy, which is why she's been appropriately dubbed "The Heir" by her Blue Devils teammates. Earp notes that her chemistry with the team comes from the familiarity of working closely with the team since they moved in on day one, but especially her friendship with center, Nicole Haught.

The Blue Devils are hopeful for the return of the former Rookie of the Year and one-time league MVP. Haught's recovery has flown very much under the radar since her injury just under a year and a half ago, but Devils trainers, Rosita Bustillos and Kate Cummings, say that her progress is astounding. Team Doctor John Henry Holliday didn't disclose details, but suggested we could be seeing the return of Nicole Haught sooner rather than later. That is a far cry from the concern shared by many that the young star's injury would spell the end of her career. Haught herself notes a point in her rehabilitation where she feared she'd never walk normally again, let alone lace up her skates and play. Time will tell if her return will be the comeback story we all are wishing for.

Haught rejoining the lineup will certainly bolster a strong core, mixed with young talent and seasoned veterans. Shae Pressman is now entering her eighth season with the franchise, and third as team captain, coming off eager to finally reach the pinnacle of the league's success. "No time like the present to be the best," Pressman said at the team's media day earlier this week, "I'm excited. I can feel something special about this year. We're ready to show the league we're legit." Pressman's comment follows those made by Vance Kerr of the CEWHL Network, calling the Devils' historic record two seasons ago a "fluke" and calling Pressman out personally despite the career highs she had in multiple statistical categories. The team is no stranger to blatant criticisms and high expectations, team owner Bunny Loblaw still vocal as ever. Nedley has done his best to keep the team focused on the game and to quiet the noise, which has mostly been successful, Pressman's comment the only hint of a verbal rebuttal to Kerr's challenge.

Actions speak louder than words, and the Devils will have just the chance to do just that with their first shot at revenge when they face off against Calgary tonight. Tickets are sold out but fans can still catch the game locally on GRTV, or nationally on CBC and CEWHLN at 7:00 PM.

Wednesday, October 7th

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"Special delivery!" Nicole called, entering the locker room, carrying a box that (believe it or not) was taller than her.