The Olds Bantam Chiefs are one step closer to completing their dream season.
A spot in the bantam AA minor provincial tournament was secured early last week with a 9-1 hammering of the Airdrie Lightning.
So comprehensive was the Chiefs' win that the second game of the two-game total-goals series was scrapped, meaning the locals were heading to the March 17-20 finals in Lacombe, something that's been a goal of the team from the beginning of the season.
ìIt's a stepping stone into playing with the cream of the crop in the rest of the division, head coach Dane Anderson explained. ìThese guys didn't have too much trouble getting out of the zone, but they went out and earned it. The whole team fired on all cylinders and just went and took it from them and turned it into a one game series.î
Much like the entire season, the team used depth of scoring to produce the one-sided outcome in Airdrie. Danton Rodger scored three times to pace the Chiefs, while Eric Simpson and Graham Hammer each scored twice with singles going to Ryan Klinck and Chase Miller.
Having three lines that can all score is one of the hallmarks of the club, which has lost only twice all season in league play and has been a factor in all the tournaments they've play in.
ìWhat's unique with this team is there are three lines that can fire the puck in the net, so any team that tries to key on any one line, the next line steps up,î Anderson suggested. ìEverybody can do everything Ö it's a unique combination of skillsets along with determination and they're all gelling together really well.î
The Chiefs sit at 12-2-1 in the North Central Minor Hockey Association's Bantam Tier I standings with four games remaining on their regular schedule before league playoffs begin. Maintaining their dominance in the league is another goal the team holds and they're hoping to make a wire-to-wire run to the division championship, something the bench boss believes is possible considering the team's makeup.
ìThey still enjoy the rewards of hard work and also with these guys if they can see it, they'll go after it and they'll go after it as a group as opposed to just one guy running through and being the show ñ they're all a part of the show,î Anderson said. ìThey all went out and bought matching socks unbeknownst to the parents Ö and this was all before their first league game, so they tried to gel immediately.î
And while the team concept is strong within the dressing room the team has had some outstanding individual accomplishments, including the top two scorers in the league in Klinck and Colton Anderson with 43 and 38 points respectively. As well, every minute of every game thus far in the season has been played by one goaltender, Thomas Della Siega.
Anderson said the young goaltender has instilled a confidence in his teammates that he'll be there to back them up when the need arises.
ìI only have one goalie so he's my iron man,î the coach explained. ìIn the higher games he's the goaltender you want to have. He will stop the puck in the key situations like you need to and that also changes momentum for your team.î
With the provincials berth in the bag, the team returned to focus on their league play and putting a disappointing 11-9 loss to Hobbema last week behind them. They posted a 6-0 win Lacombe last week followed by a 10-4 win over Sylvan Lake on Thursday to continue their roll since ousting Airdrie in provincial play.
Next up is a home game this Saturday against the Stettler Storm. Game time is 6:45 p.m.
