The South Okanagan Minor Hockey Association (SOMHA) Midget Rep team continued its march towards qualifying for the provincial championships by defeating the Kelowna Midgets in playoff action this past Saturday afternoon at the Sun Bowl Arena. The SOMHA Midget squad defeated Kelowna 6-3 in the first game of the best-of-three series with game two set for Saturday afternoon in Kelowna. If a third-and-deciding game is needed, it will be played in Osoyoos at the Sun Bowl Arena Sunday at 2:15 p.m.
KEITH LACEY
SOMHA Midget and Peewee rep teams are only one win away from also qualifying for provincials
One down. Two more to go.
What’s been a banner season so far for the South Okanagan Minor Hockey Association (SOMHA)keeps getting better.
Three SOMHA teams, including the Peewee, Bantam and Midget Rep teams, captured regular season league titles.
All three teams easily advanced through Okanagan Mainline Minor Hockey Association (OMAHA) playoffs and into the championship series.
Now one of those teams has advanced to provincials and will play for a provincial championship, with the other two teams just one win away from moving on as well.
Over the weekend, the South Okanagan Bantam Rep team eliminated Winfield in the OMAHA final, beating Winfield 3-0 Saturday at SunBowl Arena in Osoyoos, then travelling north and knocking off the home team 4-3 Sunday to claim the OMAHA title, and a spot in provincials.
“We had a good weekend. The guys played their roles and played simple hockey. Winfield is a good team, with lots of skill players, and we shut down their better players. Goaltender German Barohona Acuna played well, and earned the shutout Saturday,” said Bantam Rep head coach Brock Anderson. “As coaches, we are very happy with what we have accomplished so far. But, it’s not over.
“We have to keep practising hard and get ready for provincials. It was the goal all season to get to provincials. Now we have a new goal, to try and win provincials.”
The South Okanagan Bantam team will compete in the Tier 3 provincial championships in Port Hardy during the March Break in the middle of March.
The South Okanagan Midget team is just a win away from provincials after doubling Kelowna 6-3 Saturday in Osoyoos.
Goals came from Keenan Holz and Scott Rausch, with two apiece, while Evan Paolera and Tristan VanderMuelen added single tallies. VanderMuelen, Chase McKay and Levi Harris each had two assists.
“It was a close game with an open net goal for us late in the third period to clinch the win,” said head coach Ryan Miller. “Again we had contributions from different players in the scoring that has helped our team to continued success in the playoffs.
“It was a strong team effort in front of a large home crowd. Our coaching staff is pleased with our teams’ performance and we are looking forward to game two Saturday. We will have our work cut out for us, as Kelowna has a strong team, who will be determined to thwart our playoff championship bid.”
The teams will meet in Game 2 in the best-of-three series this Saturday Feb. 28th at 12:45 pm in Kelowna. If needed, a third-and-deciding game will be played back in Osoyoos this Sunday, March 1 at 2:15 p.m.
The winner of the series claims a berth in the Midget Rep Tier 3 Provincials, set for Dawson Creek.
The South Okanagan Peewee team beat Merritt 3-1 Sunday at the Sun Bowl Arena to take a 1-0 lead in that best-of-three series this past Sunday. The Junior Coyotes can wrap up the series on Saturday at 2:30 pm in Merritt. If needed, a third-and-deciding game will take place Sunday Mar. 1st at 11:30 a.m. at the Sun Bowl Arena.
DALE CORY
Special to the Times
