The SOMHA Midget Rep team (in white) battled Kelowna on Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Sun Bowl Arena in Osoyoos. The Midgets won the game 6-3. The team is one win away from provincials.
Keith Lacey photos
One down. Two more to go.
What’s been a banner season so far for the South Okanagan Minor Hockey Association keeps getting better.
Three SOMHA teams won league titles.
And all three, in the Midget, Bantam and Peewee divisions, 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 BC title, 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 Sun Bowl 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 skilled 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 practicing 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 in mid-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. Again we had contributions from different players in the scoring that has helped our team to continued success in the playoffs,” said Bantam Rep head coach Ryan Miller. “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 3 Series February 28 in Kelowna. If needed, a third and deciding game will be played back in Osoyoos 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 Saturday at Sun Bowl Arena to take a 1-0 lead in that Best of 3 Series.
The Junior Coyotes can wrap up the series February 28 in Merritt.
If needed, a third and deciding game goes March 1 in Osoyoos at 11:30 a.m.
Dale Cory
Oliver Chronicle
