The Thompson Okanagan Lakers have experienced a steep learning curve in the BC Female Midget Hockey League this season.
The Lakers, one of the youngest teams in B.C. with 10 rookies, had its struggles to start, but have come on strong in their last nine league games going 6-1-2. Winning nine of 12 home games has put them at 12-12-3, one point out of third.
December was busy with 15 games, including the Mandi Schwartz Memorial Tournament hosted by Notre Dame (Saskatchewan) to honour the sister of St. Louis Blues forward Jaden Schwartz. In the skills competition, the Lakers’ Ts’setkwu Dunstan won the hardest shot with a 75 kilometre per hour slap shot, while Ali Roine was second in the fastest skater competition. The Lakers also faced some of the top ranked teams in Western Canada and a Junior Womens Hockey League U19 team. The Lakers also competed in the prestigious Mac’s tournament going winless in four games.
Recently the Lakers went 1-1-1 against the second place West Coast Avalanche.
Prior to starting playoffs in March, the Lakers are travelling to Langley for a tournament in February playing teams from Alberta, B.C. and the San Jose Jr Sharks.
The Lakers are one of six teams in the BC FML. The Lakers draw players from the entire Thompson Okanagan region including Kamloops, Greater Vernon, Kelowna and West Kelowna as well as affiliate Players from Salmon Arm, Lake Country, Keremeos (Cedar Carter) and Summerland (Bailey Johnson and Sydney Sandrelli).
