With the final ladder positions locked away and our opponent the North Stars selected, it’s time to start planning to win our semi final.
The North Stars are a very solid team and we know we’re in for a tough challenge. We’ve met the North Stars 4 times during this 2013 season.
– 1st game we never had our imports all here and were well beaten
– 2nd game we drew 5-5
– 3rd game we beat them 6-2 and
– 4th game we lost 3-2
All were very tight games and I expect the semi final to be a real battle as history has shown. It’s been a great season for us so far as we’ve achieved all of our preseason goals and we would like it to continue for two more games.
Our fans have really been behind us all year and together we have faced many challenges, but collectively you’ve all shown a lot of faith in us. The players themselves had to overcome many changes to the roster and the coaching staff has barely had the same team 2 weeks in a row. Having said that, the players and the team itself have become stronger for the challenges, and we’ve built a team culture that will serve the club very well moving forward.
A few weeks ago many reports were still doubting if we would make the final 4th place … well the history books will show that Thunder ended up finishing 3rd and qualified by 8 points.
I know we are seen as the underdogs in many scribes and tipsters eyes pitting ourselves against a very talented and experienced North Stars … but I have to say that this squad and its large contingent of volunteer staff have worked tirelessly since preseason in February to make the finals and we certainly do not want to just make up the numbers on this finals weekend.
Like every game we play, we will give our best until the final buzzer … then look at the result. Our fans and sponsors deserve that level of commitment and no matter what happens, I’m confident that when we all sit down in the dressing room after the game … I’ll be satisfied knowing that we gave everything and there was nothing more to give on the ice.
Head Coach
Stan Scott
www.PerthThunder.com.au