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Thunder hang tough with Alberta powerhouse

BC earns split in four-game National Ringette League series that was part of 24th annual West Coast Classic

The Edmonton WAM! came to town with the best record in the National Ringette League and probably left with a new level of respect for the BC Thunder.

The host team more than held its own with the Alberta juggernaut in a four-game series — earning a split. The Thunder are now responsible for all three of Edmonton’s losses this season (15-3-0) thanks to a road win back in November too.

The games were showcased as part of Richmond Ringette’s 24th annual West Coast Classic that brought over 60 teams to the Richmond Ice Centre to battle for a variety of division titles. 

The Thunder are guided by longtime Richmond coach Troy Takasaki in his first-year behind the bench. His daughter Hailey is also a member of the team in her rookie season. Both helped Richmond capture the U19 Western Canadian title last spring.

BC served notice with 4-2 win Saturday morning to open the series. Sarah MacDonald was outstanding in net with 54 saves as Edmonton enjoyed a 56-31 advantage in shots. Nina Tajbakhsh led the Thunder with three goals. Takasaki also scored.

Edmonton bounced back in the evening tilt with a 6-1 win. Kacy Hannesson’s third quarter goal prevented a shutout. 

It looked like the WAM! was on its way to another win Sunday morning when the Thunder roared back from a 5-2 third quarter deficit to pull out a thrilling 6-5 win in a shootout. Fourth quarter goals by Takasaki and Tajbakhsh completed the comeback.

The visitors then capped the exciting series with a 6-5 win on Sunday afternoon in Ladner.

The results leave BC with a 10-7-0-1 record and comfortably in third spot in the NRL Western Conference. 

The Thunder has two series left to conclude the regular season. The second place Calgary RATH (9-3-0) are in Richmond for a three games, Feb. 2-3. BC then heads to Winnipeg in early March to face the fourth place Manitoba Intact. The top two teams advance directly to nationals while the third and fourth place teams play a two-game series for another berth.

Hailey and three of her Thunder teammates will be playing for Team BC at the Canada Winter Games in Red Deer in late February.

West Coast Classic results included Richmond earning silver in the U16B Division after falling 6-2 to Houston in the championship game.

Other division winners included: Comox (Masters), Shuswap (Open A), Vancouver (Open B), Edmonton (U19A), Westside (U19B), Vancouver (U16A), Coquitlam-Moody (U14A) and Burnaby-New West (U14B),