KC Whalers are the U11A City Champions!

The KC Whalers are the U11A City Champions for the 2021/22 Lakehead Minor Hockey League season!!

The Whalers capped off a very successful season in exciting fashion on Sunday evening at the Thunder Bay Tournament Centre, with a thrilling win over a tough North End Flames team, who gave the Whalers all they could handle.  The Whalers had gotten out to an early 1-0 lead courtesy of Kalin McCarville.  The Flames tied it up in the second period, sending the game into the final frame even at one.  The Whalers pulled ahead again with back to back goals by Linden Papineau to give them a 3-1 lead, only to have the gap narrowed once more by the resilient Flames, who made it 3-2 with 2 minutes left in the game.  The Whalers would hold on, with Desi Kuharski sealing the game, and the championship, with an empty net goal with ten seconds left on the clock, making the final score 4-2.  Mason deGooijer stood tall in net for the Whalers, making several key saves to keep the Flames at bay.

This capped an exciting week for the Whalers, who had defeated the first-place Elks Athletics for the first time all season in the semifinal in another thrilling nailbiter of a game. 

As mentioned, it was a great season for the Whalers, who entered the year with a young team comprised of 15 first-year players, and only 1 second-year player.  Despite the inexperience, the Whalers made the playoffs in every tournament they played, finishing the year with three silver medals and one bronze medal.  The only colour missing was gold, and the Whalers accomplished that goal by winning it all this weekend.

Great job, Whalers...the players and coaches should all be proud!!  Congratulations to all the teams on a great season...wishing you a fantastic Spring and Summer, and we hope to see you back in the rink in September!