The Thunderbirds U15 Team traveled as part of a 3 team contingent from our Association in Shanghai to Seoul, Korea to be guest of the new Zenith Ice Hockey facility.  Proud to be part of the first international competition at this facility, all three of our teams were excited at the opportunity.  

Each team was set to play 4 games in 2 days which was quite a test of endurance since all the opponents would have fresh legs only playing one game.  The schedule for the U15 team began with the Tigershark "B" squad who were outmatched early resulting in a 5-0 win for our Thunderbird team.  

The second game saw us take on the Dragons.  A more aggressive and skilled team which overwhelmed our defense early in the game netting 2 goals in the first 5 minutes.  Dragons smelling a easy victory got surprised in the second period as the Thunderbirds came back from the first intermission with renewed purpose.  The result was a goal to put the Thunderbirds back in the game.  Both sides went hard at it over the remaining two periods exchanging shots on net and scoring chances until the Dragons netted their 3 goal putting the game out of reach for our Team.  

The loss was a good lesson for our team.  Letting the easy win of the first game effect your style of play in the next game, even for a short time, can cost you the game.   Determined not to repeat this mistake the team entered the arena on the second day focused on the task at hand.  

The third game did not disappoint.  The Posun Hockey School provided a very worthy opponent.  A tough, fast and skilled team, Posun presented a big challenge right from the first face off.  The Thunderbirds new gave up, they fought off the aggressive attacks in the corners, did their best to command the centre of the ice and came from behind to win 5-4.  This win was a fine example of how hard work can conquer all when it comes to hockey.  

The fourth game was the biggest challenge not only because of a good opponent, but also because we had a tough game early in the day, and we were now facing a fresh team in their only game of the day.  The TIgershark "A" Team was another skilled team with lots of speed but once again our Thunderbirds were up to the challenge.  Using solid team play combined with solid passing our team fought off the wave-like attack of the Tigersharks.  Going ahead 4-2 with 5 minutes left in the 3rd the Tigersharks came at us with everything they had.  Scoring to make it 4-3 late in the third, the intensity and excitement increased.  The Thunderbirds hung on.  Even on a penalty kill with the Tigershark goalie out of the net to make it 6 on 4, we hung on to claim a well earned victory.  

It was a great weekend of hockey for the U15 squad.  Our hosts Mr. Kim and Zenith Rink could not have been better.  A great facility!!  This is the Thunderbirds 3rd year with Seoul as a stop on our hockey season.  With hockey of this calibre to offer, it will continue to be a very important place to play in the future.  

Thank you to Mr. Kim and all those in Korea that helped make this weekend so special for our team.  We look forward to the opportunity to host Korean teams at our rink here in Shanghai.  

What a weekend for the U15 Team!!  Historically our success in the capital city has been mixed at best.  Beijing teams have always gotten the upper hand.  However this weekend ended with a very different result.

Going into the 4 game test, the team was prepared for a tough go.  With a short bench due to some key players out of the lineup, the Thunderbirds top team needed to rely on team work and determination.

The first game saw our team battle the Pioneers A squad, a very capable, professionally coached team.  It didn't take long for our players to feel the heat as the tough checking Pioneers begins their attack deep into our zone. 

Our Thunderbirds were up to the challenge.  Gaining control of the middle ice our squad attacked in waves breaking the Pioneers defense and getting on the scoreboard. The relentless attack put the Pioneers on the heels.  As the score mounted, the Pioneers lost confidence and the victory was ours.  The final score was 6-1.

The second contest against the Pioneer B team was not as straight forward.  Our Thunderbirds entered the game with a "can't lose" attitude.  This over confidence translated into a scrambling and often desperate style of play.  Thunderbirds goaltender Quinn Mast, responded to his teams misstep by putting on a fabulous display of goaltending, keeping the Pioneers off the scoreboard. 

The Thunderbirds final realized the error of their ways and went back to the style of hockey that allowed them to win the first game.  With 3 unanswered goals in the 3rd period our team was able to add another victory to the list.

Sunday games promised to be much more of a challenge with the Pioneers wanting to get revenge for Saturdays outing.  Pioneer A team came out on fire and forced the play in our zone.  Thunderbird defense lead by Elliott Nunes and our new defense player Ardrienne Yu shutdown the attacking Pioneers, never allowing shots from the slot. 

The forwards took up the charge and took control of the Pioneers zone repeatedly peppering their net.  The Pioneer goalie was equal to the challenge and the score remained 0-0 into the second period. 

The determined Pioneer A team came out in the second with just as much drive forcing more stellar defense play from all the Thunderbirds.  The Thunderbirds were just as persistent and stuck to their system no matter how hard the Pioneers pressed them.  The result was the first goal of the game followed by an empty net goal late in the third. 

With solid confidence in their system the Thunderbirds met their last challenge in the Pioneer B team.  The Pioneers came out wanting to make up for the first game loss.  The Thunderbirds did not make the same mistake as the first game.  They played a steady even game both on offense and defense, keeping the Pioneers on the boards and out of the slot the entire game.  With only one misstep in our zone costing a goal our team came out on top 9-1. 

A great ending to a brilliant weekend

 Our U12 and U15 players will be headed to Beijing November 10 & 11 for a hockey exchange with local
Beijing hockey rivals. 

Wish them safe travels, sportmanlike play and many goals ! 

Let's Go Thunderbirds!

Nanjing Exchange
On February 18th and 19th the U8 and U15 Thunderbirds played host to teams from the Hong Kong Typhoons and Beijing Imperial Guard at the Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre.  Games started early both days and were all very competitive.  We would like to thank both the Hong Kong teams and the U15 Beijing team for joining us for the weekend and making it a success.  Also, events like this cannot happen without the participation of a number of volunteers but we would like to especially thank Joey Lee for leading the preparation, organization and execution of this event at all levels and Lindsey Eliason for keeping us on schedule, making sure the game sheets were signed and directing and coordinating the volunteers throughout the weekend and making our guests feel welcome.

The Select teams concluded their trip to Harbin on Sunday having learned a great deal about themselves and their competition.

The U8s provided the most outstanding performance of the weekend going 5-0 against teams from the Beijing Imperial Guard and the Harbin 1 and Harbin 2 teams.  They ended the weekend in dramatic fashion with a 2-1 Overtime victory over a re-stocked Harbin 1 team to win the weekend mini-tournament. The players, parents and fans were extremely excited about their performance and they made the Shanghai Thunderbird’s program very proud.

The U12 team ran into stiff competition against the Imperial Guard and the Harbin teams.  Although they went 0-4 on the weekend the team showed steady improvement and increased their intensity as the games progressed.  The team

ended the weekend in a mixed games where all three teams were combined into two and they played against each other.  This was a good way for the players to meet kids from other programs and play alongside each other in a good show of competitiveness and sportsmanship.

The U15 team had a successful weekend going 2-2 by beating Harbin in two very close 3-2 games but losing to the Imperial Guard in the other two games. This was the first time for some of the U15s to play against other programs at this level and the team was very competitive despite missing a few key players.

The most impressive part of the weekend was seeing the support each team provided to one another during their games and the way they bonded at the hotel and away from the rink.  It was nice to see the players cheering each

other on, especially the U8s in the final, as well as watching the younger players letting the older ones in on their mini-stick games.

Congrats to all the coaches and managers for their efforts and organization and thanks to the Beijing Imperial Guard who organized this weekend andallowed us to participate.

Last weekend 40 Select players from all three teams and almost 50 family members travelled to Okayama and Kurashiki Japan for a weekend of hockey. The kids played teams from the area including the Okayama Bruins, Hiroshima Collectors, Okayama Jr. and Kurashiki Jr.

The Select players made the Thunderbird organization proud with only one loss in 9 games.

The U8’s remain undefeated this season with two wins (7-1 and 8-3) and one tie (3-3). The boys played their hearts’ out despite having to board the bus at 5:15 a.m. on Sunday morning for their final game at 6:15 a.m.