Thunder’s Journey from Sixth Seed to Championship Contenders
The Concordia Thunder hockey team had a rollercoaster of a regular season, facing challenges and battling through injuries. With a record of 9-15, the team found their stride in the second half, securing the 6th seed for the playoffs. Despite their struggles, the Thunder showcased a deep level of development as a team, capitalizing on their individual talents and playing to each other’s strengths.
“These past few weeks have been rewarding for our group. We have definitely been a slow build this season but there has always been a strong underlying quiet confidence. The work and commitment shown towards each other has produced some very good results. We try to have a short memory and start fresh every day,” said head coach Rod Ohlhauser.
Playoff Turnaround
The playoff narrative for the Thunder took an exciting turn, revealing a team that had found its rhythm. In the quarterfinals, they faced off against the NAIT Ooks in a best-of-three series.
The first game saw a hard-fought battle, with the Thunder falling short in a 4-1 defeat. However, the team’s resilience was evident as they showcased multiple scoring chances, ultimately leading to #37 Carson Kurylo earning the Concordia Thunder Player of the Game.
Game 2 was a turning point as the Thunder secured a 4-2 victory, forcing a decisive Game 3. Standout performances from Zachery Carlson, Rylan Nivon, and Grayson Reid contributed to the win, with goaltender Ashton Billesberger making an impressive 48 saves.
In a must-win scenario, the Thunder emerged victorious with a 3-1 win against the NAIT Ooks. Tyler Schendel earned the Player of the Game title, and the Thunder advanced to the semifinals.
Semifinals Sweep
In the semifinals, the Thunder faced the number one seed, Briercrest Clippers, as the underdogs. Despite the odds, they swept the Clippers 2-0 to advance to the final round.
Game 1 saw the Thunder clinch a 3-1 victory, showcasing resilience and strong goaltending from Ashton Billesberger. The Thunder’s defensive efforts and strategic goalscoring set the tone for the series.
In an impressive 5-1 win, the Thunder dominated the Clippers. #12 Isaac Leik and #27 Tyler Schendel led the team in points, while #01 Ashton Billesberger continued to shine in goal, maintaining a remarkable 1.25 Goals Against Average and a .967% Save Percentage.
Isaac Leik and Tyler Schendel currently lead the team in points with six each in the playoffs, while Ashton Billesberger stands out as the conference leader in Goals Against Average (1.25), Save Percentage (.976%), and total saves (147).
Playoff Penalty Kill Perfection
The Thunder showcased their defensive prowess by maintaining a 100% penalty kill percentage for two consecutive weekends. Denying all 18 powerplay opportunities against the NAIT Ooks and the Briercrest Clippers, the Thunder displayed resilience and discipline in critical moments.
As the Concordia Thunder continue their journey through the playoffs, they stand as a testament to teamwork, resilience, and the ability to turn challenges into triumphs. With the final round on the horizon, the Thunder look poised to make a lasting impact in the 2023/24 ACAC hockey season.
The final round of ACAC Championships starts this weekend against the defending championships, Red Deer Polytechnic Kings.
“Now having this opportunity to play in the Finals, we face a team in Red Deer who have proven they know how to win. They are a hard working and well prepared team that demands we be at our best to compete. We’ve have worked hard to be in this position but I am excited to see our guys play their best hockey of the season,” said Ohlhauser.
Concordia will host game two of the finals, on Saturday, March 16th at Clareview Arena with puck drop at 7 PM. Find the full schedule here.
For more Thunder news and updates, visit gothunder.ca.