Sports

Ravens look forward to new goals

By Don Fennell

Published 3:47 PDT, Thu March 26, 2020

Last Updated: 2:13 PDT, Wed May 12, 2021

Devastated.

That was the unanimous sentiment among Richmond Ravens upon losing their shot at a triple crown (league, playoff and provincial championship), when the COVID-19 outbreak forced the cancellation last weekend of the BC Midget girls’ hockey finals.

But after coming to grips with the reality, two players are looking forward to new challenges along their hockey paths.

Sydney Payment, who hopes to have the chance to help the Ravens win another BC title next year, is now focusing on preparing to make Team BC. She plans to attend a selection camp along with a few of her teammates this summer, and has been privately training in preparation.

As a graduating Raven, Julia Farkasch is hoping to catch on with a university team next season.

“I’m pretty set on going to Queen’s next year as I’ve been accepted into the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) program,” she explains. “I’ve been in contact with the head coach of the women’s hockey team and am considering playing.”

She’s also looking to skate at UBC once the campus re-opens.

Still, both Payment and Farkasch are left feeling this season was incomplete.

“We had worked hard all year only to have it taken away from us,” Payment says of the Ravens, who lost just once in 16 games during the season. “I am so proud of how much effort me and my teammates put in. We weren’t ready for the abrupt goodbye.”

She says the friends have kept in contact and are supporting each other through this period.

Farkasch had planned to play ball hockey on her school team this spring, but still hopes to be able to rejoin some of her Raven teammates on Team BC this year. Together, they won bronze at last year’s nationals.

She looks back fondly on her three years as a Raven.

“I met some incredible people who have turned into some of my best friends,” says Farkasch. “I’m grateful to have played on such a hardworking and dedicated team.”

The strong bond was also reflected in how teammates poured off the bench to congratulate her after her game-winning goal in the gold medal game of the Ravens’ rep classic in October.

“After I scored, my linemate Annalise Wong, who assisted on the goal, jumped up and shortly after the rest of my teammates joined her in a pile,” Farkasch recalls. “I wish I had another year to play with them all again, but I wish them all the best.”

Adds Payment, “I can’t pinpoint one memory from this season because the whole seven months were special. I cherished every moment, but the cherry on top was being ranked No. 1 in Canada.”

See more canada news

See All

See more international news

  See All
© 2024 Richmond Sentinel News Inc. All rights reserved. Designed by Intelli Management Group Inc.