By Troy Anderson Coach
Stettler Storm atom A hockey team
The atom A Stettler Storm enter the playoffs on a high after winning gold in the Medicine Hat atom hockey tournament on the weekend.
Stettler opened with a 5-1 win over Medicine Hat on Friday night. That set the tone for the rest of the weekend, as the kids continued to use their theme song, “crazy train,” to get “all aboard” and keep on winning.
The kids played three more games Saturday, including the semifinal against Whitehorse. They battled through a long day of hockey and lots of waterslide fun at the hotel and sealed a spot in the final Sunday.
As a terrible blizzard brewed outside, the Hat arena heated up with rowdy Stettler fans dressed in jerseys and armed with cowbells and horns. With the jersey of the team’s missing captain hanging behind the bench, the Storm had all the motivation they needed to pull off a 3-2 victory against Redcliff.
Stettler enters the playoff round after placing first overall in the regular season. The kids can be proud of their great season, including some impressive stats: first place, the lowest goals-against average, lowest penalty minutes, second-highest goals-for, and balanced scoring.
Stettler’s playoff schedule includes games Tuesday in Forestburg, Wednesday at home to Lacombe at 6:30 p.m., Saturday in Eckville, and back home Sunday at 11 a.m. against Alix.