Farrier back to Australia to compete for country

As the Cougar women’s hockey team enters their final three weeks of play, they will be down a body as impact rookie Tash Farrier prepares for a sunny three weeks in Newcastle, Australia as part of the Div. III Australian national women’s hockey team. The Aussies will host the 2011 IIHF World Women’s Ice Hockey Div. III Championships on Feb. 1-6, a six-team tournament that returns from a three-year hiatus due to an annual absence of a host country.

Farrier has been a big part of the Cougars’ amazing run so far this season, and ranks third on the team in goals (8) and seventh in total scoring (11 pts). One of the smaller players on the team, Farrier brings a feistiness and tenacity that head coach Scott Rivett loves.

“Tash…brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to our line up on and off the ice,” said Rivett. “Her understanding of the game has come a long way this season, but her ability to finish around the net has always been there.”

The Cougar women are stacked with talent, and Rivett looks at Farrier’s temporary absence as an opportunity.

“One of the greatest strengths of our team is our depth, so [while] her absence leaves us with a bit of a void…it also provides more opportunity for a few of our other players to get [some] additional minutes.”

Farrier isn’t the only player in the city that will be making the journey. Rylie Padgen, a member of the cross-town rival SAIT Trojans, will become Farrier’s teammate in Newcastle. The two will get to play together for their home country before returning home in time for the start of the ACAC playoffs. The Trojans currently hold down the second place spot in the ACAC, and a future matchup between the two top-ranked teams is a distinct possibility.

For full details on the tournament, including schedules and scores go to the 2011 IIHF World Women’s Ice Hockey Div. III Championships website.