Thompson Blazers one step away from BCEHL title as finals series opens in Kelowna

Image Credit - Thompson Blazers

The Thompson Blazers U18AAA are one step away from a championship.

After battling through two rounds of the BCEHL playoffs, the Blazers have earned their spot in the U18AAA Final, setting up a three game series against the Okanagan Rockets starting tonight in Kelowna.

The road to the final has been strong. The Blazers opened the playoffs with a series win over the NW Hawks before making a statement in the semifinal, sweeping the No. 1 seeded NE Chiefs in Burnaby. That series showed exactly what this group is capable of heading into the biggest weekend of their season.

Now it all shifts to MNP Place.

Game 1 goes Friday at 5:00 PM, followed by Game 2 on Saturday at 2:00 PM. If needed, Game 3 will be played Sunday at 1:00 PM, with the BCEHL title on the line.

We caught up with Assistant Coach Darryl Sydor ahead of the series, who shared insight from Head Coach Ed Patterson on the group’s development and identity.

“It’s one of the most tight knit groups we’ve ever worked with and they have a special bond. Each night there is a new hero in the room and that’s what’s great,” Sydor said, referencing a conversation with Patterson.

“This has been a learning and growing year, the players have made massive strides since the beginning of the season,” he added.

With a championship on the line, the Blazers now turn their attention to a strong Okanagan Rockets team in what sets up to be a highly competitive series.