Weekend Recap - Week 9

Week 9 of the ACAC season saw Thunder Basketball, Volleyball, and Hockey in action. Here’s what happened over the week for the Thunder.

Basketball

Thunder Basketball had one game this weekend, playing the Ambrose Lions on Friday at Ralph King Athletic Centre. A tight game throughout, the Thunder had the slight 29-27 lead after two quarters thanks to some stellar team defence. The third continued at the same pace, with defence and turnovers keeping the score at 39-37 for the Thunder. Ambrose broke out in the fourth quarter, outsourcing Concordia 21-9 and taking the game by a final score of 58-48. The bench was big for the Thunder with Player of the Game Grethe Winchell scoring 11 points to go along with 5 rebounds and Laurel van der Giessen contributing 8 points and 6 rebounds of her own. The Thunder are still looking for their first win on the young season, currently sitting at 0-4.

In the men’s game the Thunder got a big 92-74 win, beating the Ambrose Lions and winning their second game in a row. It was another high scoring game that saw Concordia jump out to a 24-14 lead in the first quarter and never lose the lead again. After a close first half that ended at 41-35 Thunder, CUE pulled away in the second half of the game, outsourcing Ambrose 51-39. It was a full team effort as five players had 10 or more points in the game. Milton Lendein had a fantastic all-around game with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals. Thunder Men’s Basketball sits at 2-2, good for third in the ACAC North Division.

Thunder Basketball has the upcoming weekend off. After an off weekend, they will head on a road trip to play Red Deer Polytechnic on Friday November 15th and Olds College on Saturday November 16th. 

Hockey

Thunder Hockey spent the weekend playing two games against their opponent from the 2023 ACAC Hockey Championships final, the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings. It was a tough weekend for the Thunder, losing both Friday’s road game 7-5 and Saturday’s home game 6-1.

Friday’s game saw Red Deer score three goals in the first period. The Thunder kept the Red Deer offence in check with goals of their own from Noah Wilson on the powerplay and a shorthanded goal by Nikolai Morrison, keeping the score at 3-2 Kings by the end of the first period. Red Deer fought back with three unanswered goals in the second, taking hold of the game and leading 6-2 after two periods. To kick off the third period, Nikolai Morrison scored a second shorthanded goal before the King’s got another on the board to make it 7-3 early in the third. The Thunder would not go down quietly, with Alex Bend and Matthew Reidy each scoring late in the period to put the game at 7-5, but Concordia ran out of time and fell just short. 

In Saturday’s game Red Deer came out flying, scoring three goals in the first period and not looking back from there. An additional goal in the second and two goals in the third capped off a night that the Thunder will look to move on from quickly. Zach Cunningham got the only goal for the Thunder this night, as the defender scored his first of the season midway through the first period.

Next up for Thunder Hockey is a two game road trip against the Briercrest Clippers this coming weekend. Games will be played at Briercrest on Friday November 8th and Saturday November 9th.

Volleyball

Thunder Volleyball had one game each this week against the Ambrose Lions on Friday night.
Women’s Volleyball lost in straight sets with scores of 25-19 (AMB), 25-18 (AMB), and 25-16 (AMB). Rookie Outside Hitter Stephanie Kendziora continues to make an impact for the Thunder, racking up 9 kills and 8 digs. She currently sits in the Top 10 in the ACAC in kills per set with 3.00. Jenna May also stepped up for the Thunder with 16 assists and 8 digs from the setter position.

Men’s Volleyball also fell to Ambrose in straight sets with scores of 25-13 (AMB), 25-17 (AMB), and 25-22 (AMB). Fourth year middle Logan Kranrod had a game high 5 blocks. He currently sits first in the ACAC in blocks per set with 1.10 and second in the ACAC in solo blocks with 11.

Thunder Volleyball will be back at home this Friday, as they host the Olds College Broncos on November 8th. Both teams are still looking for their first wins of the season.