Fifty-seven athletes from around Yukon and B.C., took to the ice at the Takhini Arena this past weekend for the third annual International Whitehorse Women's Chrismukahanza Hockey Jamboree.

The two-day tournament, hosted by the Whitehorse Women's Hockey Association, featured four competitive teams, Chaos, Avalanche, Blizzard, and Dynamite.

The teams battled it out in hopes of capturing the first-place trophy, a unique prize for a unique tournament.

"It's a pink bra with glittered up pucks in it and a hockey stick or something,” said Avalanche team captain, Stefanie Headley describing the prize.

"It's crazy looking.”

Team Chaos' would prove to be the lucky team, defeating the Avalanche 3-2 in an exciting game that featured several scoring opportunities.

The last five minutes of the game were a flurry of rushes as Chaos looked to put the game away and Avalanche attacked in hopes of evening the score.

"My legs were ready to die,” said Headley, who anchored the defence for the Avalanche.

"It was a good game and a good way to finish the tournament. Our team improved a lot as the games went on.”

Danielle Hodgson opened up the scoring for Chaos, beating her defender and streaking down the ice for a breakaway goal, six minutes into the first period.

The Avalanche answered back with a shot from the point that deflected into the back of net, but on the ensuing draw Chaos regained the lead with quick score from Alyssa Beckett.

Hodgson broke free for her second goal of the game with eight minutes to go in the first.

It would prove to be the game winner.

"The tournament was really good,” said Alison Perrin, forward with the Chaos.

"It seems like it's better organized than years past and the level of play is more competitive.”

"In a battle for third place, Team Blizzard defeated the Dynamite, 3-0."

The tournament has seen significant growth since its inception in 1999 and the players attribute that to improved organization and more notice in the communty.Perrin, who has played in each tournament, has seen a steady rise in the pool of athletes committing to play.

"I had some people on my team from Dease Lake and Dawson and there were some players from Haines Junction,” she said.

"The tournament gets better and better each year,” said Lily Gontard, who played defence for team Blizzard and also helped coordinate the event.

Gontard agreed that the outside players have helped boost the tournament's overall competitiveness, with 16 players from outside the women's league taking part this year.

"Haines Junction has a great program, some of those girls came out and they are just amazing,” she said.

"Five-foot-nothing and incredible players.”

Gontard said the quality of play has noticeably improved in both the tournament and in the women's league.

"I think there's more interest in the community and people are spreading the word to their friends, so that's pretty cool,” said Perrin.

The tournament also provides an opportunity for women who would otherwise be too busy to get on the ice and sharpen their skills.

"A lot of people can't play in the league because they have kids or other things going on,” Gontard said.

"So it's a good chance for them to come play this weekend and enjoy it.

"There's always room for the beginners and the really high level players,” she said.

The on-ice atmosphere was competitive but it was apparent that the players were very encouraging and enjoying the chance to play in a great event.

After each game the athletes continued to hone their skills as many took to the ice for the Western Senior Women's Hockey Championship tryouts.

Yukon has earned a bye into this years tournament, which will be hosted in Regina this coming April.

"We were all really exhausted after the weekend of hockey,” said Hedley, who attended each tryout.

"But I think we're going to have a really good team.”

And while the top prize in that tournament will be more traditional and lack the flashiness of the Jamboree trophy, Hedley doesn't seem discouraged.

"We'll be ready to head out to Regina and fight for the gold.”