The women don't belong to a hockey league where you score points for every game won. They play teams from seven to eight other northern towns who host invitational tournaments.

In 2005, the women, now called The Vipers, hosted their 3rd annual invitational 3-day All Women Hockey Tournament. In 2004, the Vipers managed to win their own tournament, an exciting achievement for all of them.

In 2005 they came in second place, with the Burns Lake Vortex taking top honours with a score of 3-2.

The key to their success as a team? "Personality," says Val. "We all get along really well. We hang out a lot together and we're all friends." When taking on new recruits, Maser says fitting in with the rest of the team is more important than playing skills. There are about 40 women in Houston who play hockey and not everyone can be on the team, which only has room for 25 players.

This season, there are two players new to the game, and it's all working out. "Our ages range from 17 to 45 plus," Val tells me. "It's a really good mix." The team has a few students, some single women, but mostly married family women.

"We're very well known throughout the region for being lighthearted and having a lot of fun." Although their sport is non-contact, it can get pretty physical. There are a few teams that they would rather not play, and who do not get invited to their annual tournaments.