Manitoba celebrated its 25th anniversary in the sport of ringette by hosting the 17th edition of the Canadian Ringette Championships. The week-long event kicked off with excitement as players arrived on the Sunday at the Winnipeg International Airport from all corners of the country. The host committee, under the guidance of the committee's chairperson, Leon Morrisette, planned many exciting events for the players over the course of the tournament. The host committee must be commended for their effort in staging a first-class event with a warmth of hospitality.
Winnipeg was introduced to Canada's finest ringette players on Monday as the athletes paraded through the city by police escort to the opening ceremonies at the Walker Theatre. The opening ceremonies were a definite hit with the players as they spent the evening celebrating their sport in tune with the comical electric energy of Winnipeg's own Rocky Rolletti band. The ceremony closed out with Rocky inviting players and coaches to participate in on-stage antics. Included was a dance-off between coaches and players to determine which group had the worst dancing skills (guess who won). The energy and excitement of the opening ceremonies set the tone for the remainder of the week as round robin play continued Tuesday, with the Deb and Intermediate divisions commencing play.

Junior Division
In the Junior division, Ontario (10-0), Alberta (9-1), and Saskatchewan (7-3) were the top teams at the end of round robin play.
The Junior division semi-final action on the Friday evening saw Alberta's Jolene Bowen, the top scorer of the tournament with 29 points in 10 games, tally for two goals and an assist as Alberta defeated Saskatchewan 4-1. Also scoring for Alberta were Susan Coggles and Kristy Schmidt, while Tracey Mucha scored the lone Saskatchewan goal.

Saturday's Junior division final would see an evenly matched pairing of Ontario and Alberta battle for the coveted Ringette Canada Trophy. The two teams played to a 4-3 Ontario win earlier in the week and posted equally dominant offensive and defensive statistics in round robin play. Alberta, hoping to avenge their previous defeat, jumped to a 3-1 lead after the first period thanks to goals by Jennifer Cunliffe, Andrea Lown, and Erin Lange. Jennifer Gaudet took advantage of a power play opportunity to mark Ontario's only goal of the first period. Alberta quickly responded minutes into the second period with power play goals by Susan Coggles and Jolene Bowen. Continuing to press on, Ontario's Nickie Madsen and Jennifer Gaudet (with her second goal of the game) narrowed Alberta's lead to two goals. However, at the buzzer, Alberta had escaped with a 5-3 victory and were awarded the Ringette Canada Trophy and the gold medal.

Belle Division
After 7 round robin games, Québec (6-1) had secured a first place finish and a bye to the championship final. The semi-final saw Ontario (5-2) and the division's top defensive team, Alberta (5-2 with an average 2.29 goals against), pair up for a Friday evening match. Alberta proved to be an overpowering opponent as Carley Ross led her team with 2 goals and 2 assists in a 5-2 Alberta victory. Also scoring for Alberta were Jackie Schur who added another pair and Laura Warner with the first Alberta goal of the game. Scoring for Ontario were Tracy Caridade and Sara Burnside.
Saturday's Belle division final displayed some of the day's most thrilling action as Québec and Alberta paired up to determine the right to the Sam Jacks Trophy. Mélanie Domingue scored all five of her team's goals, including the winner at 13:49 of overtime, to lead Québec to a 5-4 championship victory over Alberta. Domingue's linemate, Karine Lamoureux, played a vital role in her team's victory as she assisted on each of Québec's goals. As Alberta fronted a dominant offensive effort with goals from Michelle Ethier, Heather Gregg, and Jackie Schur, the exceptional play and concentration of Québec goalkeeper Marissa Yap stoned the Alberta offensive drive time after time. Even so, Alberta managed to tie the match at 4 when Laura Warner scored with just 41 seconds left in regulation time. Overtime proved to be another thrilling dual between Yap and the strong Alberta offense. In the end, Yap, along with the pairing of Domingue and Lamoureux proved to be the difference.

Deb Division
Deb division action was the hot talk around the city of Winnipeg throughout the week as the home town favorites advanced to the championship final. After the completion of round robin play, Manitoba remained undefeated while posting the division's top offensive and defensive statistics.
The Deb division semi-final showcased another overtime thriller between British Columbia (5-1) and Alberta (4-2). In the end, it was B.C. who emerged the winner as Jill Halldorson completed her hat trick at 4:50 of overtime to defeat Alberta 8-7. Also scoring for B.C. were Kathryn Lynd, Sarah Clucas (2), Cindy Felske, and Tracy Crowe. Tallying for Alberta were Maria McKenzie, Jennifer Willan, Shelley Vantamelen, and Jacinda Chomik (3).

Saturday's Deb division championship final filled the St. James Civic Centre with hometown supporters as their first place Manitoba team confronted British Columbia. Manitoba, eager to please the hometown crowd, took advantage of several power play opportunities to score the first three goals of the game. Renée Philippe marked the first goal while Chantel Colmer and Tara Lee Galbraith added the second and third. A determined B.C. team surged back in the second half to tie the game thanks in part to three quick goals by Kathryn Lynd, Jill Haldorsen, and Cindy Felske. However, B.C.'s drive was abruptly ended as Angela Adams scored the game winner with just 1:40 left in regulation time, bringing the hometown crowd to its feet. Manitoba managed to maintain the lead until the final buzzer, emerging with the Jeanne Sauvé Memorial Cup in a 4-3 hometown victory.

Intermediate Division
After 21 games in the round robin format, Alberta (6-0), Québec (5-1), and Ontario (4-2) advanced to the medal rounds in the Intermediate division. In Friday's semi-final pairing of Québec and Ontario, Ontario defeated Québec 4-2 thanks to a second period game winning marker by Brandy Leadbetter. Also scoring for Ontario were Joanne Lapensee and Danielle Poirier (2). Scoring for Québec were Sue Brisson and Sharon Tait.
Saturday's championship final in the Intermediate division saw a dominating and undefeated Albertan squad take on Ontario, fresh from their semi-final victory the evening before. Ontario, who trailed 1-0 heading into the second half, surprised many as the score remained 2-2 at the end of regulation play. Ontario's Judy Deschamps tied the game on her second goal of the match at 7:56 of the second period. Alberta would later spoil Ontario's overtime drive for Gold as Jeannette Cook ended the tension with a sudden victory marker at 11:01 of the period. Also scoring for Alberta were Kathy Wood and Jennifer Rogers. With the victory, Alberta claimed the Canadian Airlines Trophy for the third consecutive season.