Don Urquhart, Times-Chronicle
The South Okanagan Minor Hockey Association (SOMHA) will be well-represented at the hockey provincials this coming weekend with U13, U15 and U18 all securing a place at the coveted provincial championship.
The U13 Rep team, what used to be known as ‘pee wee’ hockey has enjoyed particularly stellar season emerging undefeated in regular season play.
The regular season was as good as it gets with the team posting a 15-0 record yet remarkably still ending up in a tie for first place with Kelowna in the league. Because of the tie each team was awarded a banner for the regular season.
But in the Okanagan Minor Hockey League playoffs, the SOMHA U13 team beat Kelowna to cement its participation in the provincial championships that will take place in Trail starting this weekend Mar. 12/13. A round robin will continue through the next week the finals to follow.
“They’re a great group, a lot of these kids, the core of the group, have played together for years now so they’re a pretty tight knit group and just play really well together,” said hockey parent Dave Wood.
He adds that “not a lot of kids get to play at the provincials so it’s a pretty big deal.”
With the Osoyoos Coyotes also having a solid year, hockey fans have lots to cheer for in local hockey, with Wood commenting: “It’s a good year in general for our South Okanagan Minor Hockey Association.”
“The U15 team is also going to the provincials which we are hosting and they just finished second in their playoffs and then the U18 team won their season and their playoffs so they are also going to the playoffs,” he said. The U15 provincials will kick off on Sunday at Sun Bowl Arena.
When asked what’s behind this solid performance from the SOMHA teams he points to good players, alongside good people volunteering and coaching.
A fund raiser open to all to help support the team and coaches and volunteers in their travel to Trail will be taking place at the Sage Pub in Osoyoos on March 12 at 5-9 p.m. An open auction, raffle and 50/50 draw will also be featured.
Tickets are $25. For more information contact Lisa Farinha at 250-498-7383.
