Steel look for redemption in WWCFL finals

The Lethbridge Steel look to avenge loss to Saskatoon Valkyries in 2012 WWCFL championships.

Perhaps they were inexperienced, or maybe they were simply outmatched, but rest assured – this year will be different.

After beating their provincial rival’s – the Edmonton Storm – in last week’s conference championships, the Lethbridge Steel now look to avenge a 2012 loss to the Saskatoon Valkyries. In that 2012 league championship game, the Steel were dominated by the Valkyries, losing by a score of 64-21. However, this is a new year, and the new-look Steel feel they have made the adjustments necessary to compete with Saskatoon, who have won all three league championships.

“We are very excited to have another crack at the Valkyries for the championship” said coach/offensive coordinator Kessie Stefanyk. “Last year was an eye opener for us, but we are a lot more prepared [this year] than we were in last year’s championship finals.”

The feeling of being more ready this year has emanated throughout the locker room as well, as the players feel like this year’s result will be better.

“I had a crack in the same game against Saskatoon last season,” said running back/linebacker and team captain Maddy Armstrong. “It was a rude awakening as to the elite level of play we would need to reach. This season, we are ready to answer the call.”

For the Steel, they already appear to be entering the elite level of play needed in the wwcfl, as they had to get through the tough Edmonton Storm in last week’s conference finals. In what turned out to be one of the best games in the league’s short history, the Steel were able to edge out their rivals 32-27.

“It was a real nail biter,” said quarterback Becky Heninger, who anchored the Steel in the victory. “It was tasking physically and mentally, but it pushed us to really fight for another chance to face the Valkyries. It was a great game [for us] to go in to this weekend with.”

The coach agrees.

“I believe that sport reveals your character” Said Stefanyk after the victory. “We showed that we are a strong team physically but mentally as well.”

This year’s championship game takes place later today (June 15), at historic Mosaic stadium – the home of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00pm.

Conquering the beast that is the Sasktoon Valkyries, who have only lost one game in the league’s three years of play, will be no small feat for the Steel. The Valkayries are coming off an impressive conference championship game themselves, as they beat the Regina Riot 48-45. For the Steel, it is just a matter of executing their game plan.

“I feel confident in our team,” said veteran running back Sarah Stevens. “We’ve trained so hard to get to this game and we are going to play as hard as we can.”

Once again, confidence is displayed from top to bottom for the Lethbridge Steel.

“We are going to bring absolutely everything we got,” said coach Stefanyk. “There is no tomorrow after this game, so we will be leaving it all on the field.”

For the revamped Steel, the time for redemption is now, as they aim to show the rest of the league that they belong at the top of the WWCFL.