when the Stettler Thunder Mini-Tykes team loaned some of its players to the short-manned Lacoka Locos so the game could be played.
At this age group of play, score isn't kept and the normal hockey-sized lacrosse rink is cut in half for the smaller players. It's more about learning how to play than playing the game at this point, according to past president Kim Smyth.
But other than the fun in Ponoka for the mini-tykes, it was a weekend of losses for the Stettler Thunder teams, with no wins across four leagues of play.
The Midget Thunder came home winless with a painful 14-3 loss to the Olds Stingers in Olds on Friday, April 24. Though the team continues to improve, the long-legged lacrossers didn't have the gas to keep up with the speedy stingers.
In Red Deer on Monday, April 27, the Bantam Thunder went toe-to-toe with the Chiefs, managing to hold the home team to a standstill through most of the game. It was only in the final minutes of play that the Chiefs secured their 6-2 win.
Friday, April 24 saw the Peewee Thunder in Blackfalds, where they were defeated in a close but losing game against the Warriors. The final score of the game was not available by press time.
Novice Thunder were the only team to have two games this past weekend, with a Friday, April 24 loss against Three Hills, though it was close. It was only in the closing period of the game that the Thunder gave ground, losing 7-4.
The next day, the team travelled to Red Deer and faced the Chiefs, and though it was another loss, the team left in high spirits after a close game. The score wasn't available by press time.
“Anyone who watches lacrosse knows how quick fortunes can turn,” Smyth said. “A team can be winning 5-4 only to be losing 13-6 within five minutes. It all comes down to the end of the game and who has the most gas left and can keep running.”
The Thunder host a series of home games this weekend, starting on Saturday, May 2 at 10:30 a.m. with a Peewee game against the Didsbury Chargers. At 11:45 a.m., the Novice will face Didsbury's novice team.
Bantam Thunder take the floor at 12:45 p.m. with a game against Innisfail, followed by a 2:15 p.m. game pitting the Midgets against Red Deer.
On Sunday, May 3 at 10:30 a.m., the Thunder Peewees will take on Sylvan Lake.