Playing hockey is kind of a family thing for the Craig sisters of Mattapoisett.

Their father Dan coaches their team and also plays the sport. Their uncle Jim Craig played for the Boston Bruins and was the goalie for the 1980 gold-medal winning U.S. Olympic hockey team.

They may have a tough act to follow, but that hasn’t stopped the girls from chasing hockey glory.

The Craig girls - Erin, 8, Meghan, 10, and Danielle, 11 - have been playing with the girls Gateway Youth Hockey League since the program launched last year.

Danielle and Meghan, both students at Old Hammondtown School in Mattapoisett, play on the under 12 team. Erin, a third grader at Center School, plays on the Mites team.

The under 12 team claimed its first win of the season on November 25 against the Newport Whalers with a final score of 6-3. Danielle, who alternately plays center and defense, scored two of the goals and also had two assists.

“I just love being with the team and being able to score,” said Danielle.

While the girls have only been playing the game for the past two years, all three said they love the adrenaline.

“It’s fun because everyone cheers you on and it’s exciting,” said Meghan.

This year, Meghan assumed one of the key positions on the team when she took over as goalie.

“I played forward last year and I just decided to play goalie this year,” Meghan said. “I wanted to try it out and now I really like it.”

As for the Mites, Erin said she is confident the team is going to have a great season. In the game on November 24, Erin achieved a hat trick scoring three consecutive goals for her team.

As a forward, Erin said the hat trick was a proud moment. “I like getting goals. You can have fun,” Erin said.

The girls play hockey three to five nights a week. In between games, the sisters practice with their father. The three girls said they enjoy their practice time because it gives them a chance to play together.

“I like playing with my sisters,” said Danielle. “It’s fun. We work on different things.”

Meghan agreed.

“It’s just fun because it’s basically the only sport we get to play together. Usually there are age groups that keep us separated,” Meghan said.

During one of their practices at home, the girls work on catching, practice blocking, and take turns shooting pucks at goalie Meghan. As for how her sister Meghan rates as a goalie, Erin said, “She’s good.”