I am the head coach of the Kamloops Female Atom Dynamite and last weekend we were deep into the playoffs; actually, it was the last game for us. As a recreational team we play against the other Male Atom recreational teams in Kamloops. The team we were playing was strong and were going to move onto the semi finals. We were not going to be, so in hindsight, this game was meaningless.

Knowing that this was a strong team that played aggressive my coaching staff talked to theirs before the game asking to have a clean game considering the circumstances. However, it did nothing to save my team from the numerous injuries that they suffered.

There is no hitting in Atom hockey, but you wouldn't have known that watching this game. Five minutes into the game one of the girls was hit so hard she had to leave the game. Another girl was hit while moving up the ice with the puck. While she was down and injured, the other team's coaches and parents were laughing and cheering on the hit. That same player drove another girl’s head into the ice with her elbow, causing her to leave the game with a neck injury. This is only a small account of what went on throughout the game, but you get the idea.

Overall I am disgusted with the coaching staff of this team. I cannot believe that even after talking to the coaching staff beforehand, the game proceeded the way it did. The worst part about the whole situation is the reaction from the parents and coaches as my players lay on the ice hurt. Laughing and cheering on a hit that injures a player is low, even when hitting is allowed.

I have written a letter to KMHA about the game and I have been told that because there weren't any other written complaints, there isn't much they can do. This team had a number of complaints about them throughout the season, but none was ever put in writing. Had they done that, something could have been done. I guess what I am trying to say is that if you, as a coach or parent, are concerned with a situation, put it in writing and document it so something can be done about it.

To the coach of this team, an apology would be nice. We still have a tournament to play, yet I have players out with injuries who may not be able to play.

CORRIE STRANGIS

Kamloops