The Thunder rolled all the way to the gold medal game in a U18 tournament in West Kelowna.
The hockey team from Quesnel almost pulled off the top prize, but ended up losing an epic battle against Castlegar.
“We were the only undefeated team among all 12 teams,” said team contact Chelsee Scanlan, explaining there were two pools comprised of a Tier 2 and a Tier 3 grouping.
The team coached by Harley Gilks alongside assistants Trent Lawrence and Tracy Mero started off with a 6-2 victory over the host team, then the same score in their round robin win over Castlegar, then squeaked past Clearwater 5-4 to secure their spot in the semi-finals.
That game was a 6 a.m. rematch versus Clearwater and this time the Thunder won pulling away, with a 5-2 victory that sent them to the gold medal game.
“We went head to head with Castlegar for gold,” said Scanlan. “It was 2-2 after regulation and went to a five minute overtime, then a shootout. We lost 3-2.”
The team was disappointed, but still understanding of their strong accomplishments in the tournament, Scanlan added.
“Overall, the boys played some of the best hockey, with spot-on passes and spectacular goaltending and beautiful goals,” she reported. “Sebastian Arscott was our goaltender for the final game, and he stood on his head. Henley Hannah is the other goalie who also play amazing this weekend.”
The U18 Thunder is next in tournament action in two weeks, with a trip to Williams Lake, followed by a December travel date to Salmon Arm.
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