The Sooke Thunderbirds Bantam C2 hockey team is the best in the South Island.
The local squad won the South Island Bantam C Red playoff champions with a convincing 6-2 win over Peninsula C1 at Pearkes Arena in Saanich on Sunday.
The Thunderbirds ended the regular season in second place behind undefeated Peninsula.
On Saturday, Sooke played its semifinal against Saanich C1, winning 13-6. The win propelled the Thunderbirds into the final – and the championship.
This year’s Thunderbird team included: Connor Bainbridge, William Couture, Danielle Bonilla, Hunter Arruda, Shaunison Roper, Daniel Thompson, Claudia Macdonald, Andrew Williamson, Madison Durston, Ayden Mehrer, Chloe Berger, Brayden Gilson, Chris Piatkowski and Thalia Bjorklund.
The team’s head coach is Doug Salt. Assistant coaches included Andy Piatkowski, Ryan Mehrer, John Durston and Shawn Roper. Melanie Dube is team manager.