The Cranston/East Greenwich co-op girls’ hockey team earned some experience last season, and with many of those players returning this winter, the Thunderbirds are confident that they’ll be more competitive in the coming months.

“I think we’ll be a little better seeing as many of the girls have another year under their belts,” Cranston head coach P.J. Bessette said. “We should be a lot more competitive than we were last year. We expect to win a few games.”

The Thunderbirds couldn’t get in the win column a season ago, but the team was encouraged by its effort against Burrillville/Ponaganset/Bay View in a recent injury fund game.

Sophomore goaltender Hannah Slaiby was spectacular in particular, turning aside every shot she faced. She will certainly be a key to Cranston’s potential success this season.

“I think so,” Bessette responded when asked if he thought Slaiby would be able to steal a couple of wins for his team. “She’s going to be the backbone of the team. We expect big things from her.”

The Thunderbirds’ forward group will be in good shape as well.

On the top line, senior captain Brittney Bidwell will center freshman Ashley Smedberg and senior Jena Villeneuve, who played goaltender last winter, but Bessette called her “crafty and skilled” as a forward.

Another senior captain, Nicole Sacco, will center the second line with senior Emma McDermott and sophomore Rylie Bessette on the wings.

Sophomore Lauren Brady is expected to center the third line between seniors Ariana Brown and Tiffany Zhu.

On defense, sophomore Abbi Sampson and junior Victoria Picton will make up the top pairing, while senior captain Zoe Hagenburg and sophomore Alexia Bessette will skate with the second unit.

Other players who should make an impact are Brenna Bidwell and Jenna Imbriglio – a pair of forwards.

P.J. Bessette sees a strength of his team being its chemistry. The girls have already started to mesh well thanks in large part to the senior leadership from Brittney Bidwell, Sacco and Hagenburg.

“The captains have already taken the new girls under their wings and are showing them what it takes,” P.J. Bessette said. “The girls are talking to each other all the time, and they’ve already organized some dinners together.”

Cranston will open up its season on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at Adelard Arena against Mount Saint Charles/Lincoln/Cumberland Co-op. The Thunderbirds will then host Burrillville Co-op at Cranston Ice Rink on Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m.

“Out of the 25 girls on the team, only four played organized hockey before coming here, so it’s tough to compete against teams like Mount, La Salle and East Bay,” P.J. Bessette said. “But, against Warwick, Burrillville and Smithfield, we should be able to play with those teams and be competitive.”