Female Midget AAA Diamond Energy Wildcats Coach Terry Pavely believes his club continues to get better with each exhibition game they play.

They tied the Banff Academy Bears 4-4 and 1-1 on the weekend.

"I thought our competitiveness, our effort level, our focus level... was much better in the second game," Pavely said.

He feels the trip to Banff and a practice with the University of Calgary coaching staff provides them with a valuable bonding experience.

It also gives them exposure to the Calgary program.

The one downside of the trip was the loss of veteran Kara Newkirk to a broken femur.

"When you lose a veteran player... who was leading by example and putting up offensive numbers, it's a hole to fill," Pavely said.

Newkirk had 4 points in 5 games.

Pavely says she will likely be out for three months or longer.

The Wildcats have the weekend off.

Interview with Terry Pavely: