The Thunder Bantams haven’t lost a single game all season and hope to continue that trend at the provincial championships in Smithers.
Photo contributed
There aren’t many teams at any level of hockey that can brag about not losing a single game all season.
But the South Okanagan Minor Hockey Association (SOMHA) Thunder Bantams have those bragging rights after an incredible 2015-16 season, where they haven’t lost a single regular season or playoff game.
The Thunder will try to continue their great season over the next week as they make the long trip to Smithers, B.C. to compete in the British Columbia provincial Tier 3 championships.
Competing against eight other regional champions from across the province, the Thunder, due to their undefeated season, will be one of the favourites to win the provincial crown.
The Thunder play their first game on Saturday and hope to qualify for the gold medal game next Wednesday.
“We didn’t lose a single game in the regular season and we swept our way through the playoffs without a loss,” said head coach Brock Anderson. “We’ve had a pretty incredible run and we hope it can continue at provincials.”
The only games the Thunder lost all season were in tournaments where they faced off against teams from larger cities, said Anderson.
‘We didn’t lose a single game against Tier 3 competition all season,” he said. “But we did compete in a couple of Tier II tournaments and played very well, but did suffer a couple of losses.”
The Thunder accomplished all this playing with a thin lineup of only 14 players, said Anderson.
“We were actually worried early in the season we might not have the numbers to field a team,” he said.
For provincials, the Thunder have picked up for peewee players from the SOMHA and one bantam houseleague player.
The SOMHA Thunder Bantams literally represent the entire South Okanagan as there are five players from Osoyoos, four from Oliver, two from Princeton and one from Cawston, said Anderson.
Doing well at this year’s provincial championships is a big deal because last year’s team competed at the provincials and ended up finishing fourth overall, said Anderson.
“We have several players back from last year who really want to take that final step and win it all this year,” he said. “We had a really good team last year, but this year’s team is obviously very talented and we hope we have what it takes to go all the way.”
Returning players from last year’s team include Brandon Della-Poelera, Jai Minshull, Seth Kriese, Jack Fortune, Bryson Garska, Caleb Pearson and Jayden Simon.
Other team members include Raistlyn Palmateer, Esteban Barahona, Kyton MacFadden, Colby Dynneson, Austin O’Neill, Tyler Badger and Cooper Seminoff.
Assistant coaches Brandon Watson (who was also an assistant coach last year) and Steve Harrison deserve a lot of the credit for the team’s success, said Anderson.
“We’re all really good friends and between the three of us, I feel we have a solid background of hockey knowledge,” he said. “It’s been a lot of fun working with Steve and Brandon and they’re as excited as I am about heading back to provincials and hopefully returning home with a banner and trophy.”
Smithers is a long way from the South Okanagan and the trip to provincials is going to be costly, said Anderson.
The team held several fundraising events over the past several days, including a Burger and Beer fundraiser sponsored by The Sage Pub this past Saturday evening, and a pancake breakfast at the Oliver Legion and Sonora Centre in Osoyoos on Sunday morning.
Several players also volunteered to bag groceries for customers at grocery stores in Osoyoos and Oliver this past Saturday.
On Monday, town council approved giving the bantams $500 to help pay for the costs of the trip to the provincial tournament.
A group of about 50 players, parents, siblings and friends are expected to make the long trip to Smithers, said Anderson.
“It’s a very long trip and very expensive to compete at a big tournament like this so far from home, so we really appreciate all the community support,” he said. “We should have most of the costs for the players covered, but the parents and family members who are making the trip are going to have to pay out of their own pocket.
“We’ve got a big group of parents and supporters coming up to cheer us on, so that should really help.”
Anderson is confident his team can win it all.
“We’re not going there just to compete and say we made provincials,” he said. “If we play to the level we’re capable of, it’s going to take one hell of a good hockey team to beat us.
“Our goal is to go there and come back home with a banner and trophy that says provincial champions on it.”
By Keith Lacey
