The three Smithers Storm teams are putting the finishing touches on their regular seasons and gearing up to make runs at provincial qualifications.
Last weekend the Midget Storm played a one-game exhibition against Vanderhoof to determine home-ice advantage for their best-of-three tier two provincial qualifying tournament.
The Storm served notice that Vanderhoof has got a lot of work to do if they want to advance, after posting a 5-0 win.
The Midget Storm started off slow, but picked up as the game went on, outshooting Vanderhoof by a 34-4 margin over the last two periods.
“It was a good effort by our guys,” head coach Brendan Hutchinson said.
“We had a depleted lineup, with five regulars out so it’s always nice when the guys play hard when you’re missing a few.”
Hutchinson is working on securing ice time for the playoff rematch against Vanderhoof. As of yet, no date has been announced.
If the Midget Storm win, they’ll move on to provincials in Penticton, from March 6-8.
The Bantam Storm had a scheduled two game home set this weekend, but Kitimat cancelled because of injuries.
Instead, they faced off against the Smithers house midget team and split the set 1-1.
“The kids are getting better as they go,” head coach Don Pederson said.
“Every game is an improvement and that’s what we are looking for.”
With the regular season in the books, the bantams are looking forward to a semifinal matchup at home against Kitimat on Feb. 15.
The winner moves on to face the league champions from Terrace in the final and the right to represent the northwest region at provincials in March.
“Our goal is the same as it’s been all year, to win our zones and move on to provincials. That’s what we’re looking for,” Pederson added.
As for the peewees, they’ll wrap up their regular season this weekend against Prince Rupert at home.
They returned last weekend from a two game set against Vanderhoof with a win and a loss under their belts.
If things stay the way they are in league play, the peewees will once again face off against Vanderhoof in the first round of the playoffs.
“They are doing really well, this morning was probably our best game of the year,” head coach Dave Tucker said of the team’s 9-4 victory.
“Things are looking positive heading into playoffs for sure.”
Playoff dates against Vanderhoof have yet TBD.
