The Airdrie Techmation Thunder are moving on to the second round of the Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL) playoffs, after sweeping the Mountainview Colts in their best-of-three series last week.
Airdrie's junior B hockey team overcame the Colts 5-3 on the road on Feb. 9, before wrapping up the playoff-opening series two nights later, when they beat the visitors from Didsbury 7-4.
“That’s a big victory,” said Chad Moore, the Thunder's head coach, after Game 2. “It was our initial objective against whoever we would face in the first round – to be prepared, execute, and come out on top. We certainly did that.
“I know we were shocking some people, but I know we were not shocking ourselves.”
The series looked to be heading to three games on Feb. 11, with the Thunder trailing the Colts midway through the second period. Despite playing on the road, Mountainview appeared to be in control of the contest.
But a flurry of offence from the hosts and a defensive breakdown from Mountainview resulted in four quick goals for the Thunder in the second stanza, helping the team to a 4-1 lead. Second-period goals came from Brett LeGrandeur, Dylan Westlake (two), and Joey Haden.
“We know we had that in us, we know what we’re capable of," said Moore of the second-frame comeback.
Shaking off the shell shock, the Colts managed to reduce the deficit to 4-3 thanks to tallies from Tanner Austin and Steven Bell.
But Trey Stovin, Haden, and Kory Zinck added three additional goals in the final stanza to see out the series for the Thunder.
Moore said Airdrie's players were at their best against the Colts, adding the performances were reminiscent of the Thunder's games in December, when the team went on a four-game unbeaten run.
That win streak was followed by a seven-game losing skid in January, as the Thunder's roster was decimated by a COVID-19 outbreak.
“Unfortunately, we all know we went through a spell there for five weeks due to COVID where we couldn’t practise and prepare physically for the games we were scheduled to play early in the new year,” Moore said.
“It took us a little time to get back to where we needed to be, but we spent the time, had the conversations, and did what was necessary on and off the ice to be prepared for a big playoff game or series. We did what it takes, and now we’re back to playing the game we’re capable of.”
Thunder goaltender Cody Jaman, who recorded 74 saves in the two games against Mountainview, said the late adversity in the regular season may have given the team an ironic boost.
“Honestly, I feel that adversity, to get through that before the playoffs was huge for us,” said the 17-year-old netminder, who is playing his first season with the Thunder. “The two [wins] just before playoffs got us back on our feet a bit and gave us some momentum going into the first game of the playoffs.”
The Thunder will continue their post-season push against the Red Deer Vipers, with the best-of-five series kicking off on Feb. 16 in Red Deer.
The Vipers proved to be one of the toughest teams for Airdrie this winter, beating the Thunder in four out of the five regular-season games they played and outscoring the Airdrie squad 24-12.
“It will be a good series – they have a lot of good players on that team,” Jaman said. “Our past against them hasn’t been the greatest. I feel we have to just keep rolling and use our momentum. [The Vipers] are at a bit of a disadvantage because they haven’t played in a week or so. We just have to carry our momentum from our last game and keep it rolling.”
Despite Airdrie's worse head-to-head record, Moore promises the Thunder have not yet been at their best against Red Deer this season.
“We’ve been very short-staffed, unfortunately, in most games we’ve played them due to whatever challenges we were facing,” he said. “They haven’t really seen who we are or what we’re capable of at this point, which is in our favour.
“We have a full roster with 23 guys prepared to go to battle. We’re battle-tested at this point in time and know what it will take to achieve success, from an individual and collective perspective.”
After opening the series on the road on Wednesday, Game 2 will be held at the Ron Ebbesen Arena on Feb. 18. Puck drop is slated for 8 p.m.
