The Cochrane Rockies U13 Tier 1 team is gearing up for the provincials that begin Mar. 31 in Grande Prairie.

The Rockies finished first in the regular season and went on to beat Canmore for the league championship to advance. With the series tied, the Rockies won the final game 2-1 in front of a huge hometown crowd in Totem One.

"I think we had somewhere between 250-300 fans," says head coach Brad Kile. "We had lots of noise. It was great to see lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins out as well as friends and families of the players. The atmosphere for a peewee hockey game was pretty special."

"Due to COVID the last couple of years, I think it was pretty special for the kids, and everyone involved, to be able to go out and get excited about hockey again."

For 22 years, Kile has been coaching minor hockey teams from initiation to midgets. He says this team is among the four or five teams that have stood out as special.

"We were fortunate this season to have a great group of kids and families. They've developed a lot, and we've had a lot of fun throughout the year. They made some memories, which is the most important part."

Most of the players haven't experienced playoffs since first or second-year Atoms, and he was surprised to see how they responded.

"You try to convey the message that our game doesn't change, our style, our goals, our expectations all those remain the same, and just go out and play hockey, just go out and play Rockies Hockey. It was interesting to see the dynamics in the dressing room of the kids, and their nerves and stuff with the playoff run this year."

The Rockies are guaranteed three games at the provincials. Should they succeed there, they'll advance to the semifinals.

He says they've been researching the other teams in the tournament. Three, in particular, stood out as tough competitors. He says they're making a few small tweaks for the tournament.

"There should be some good competition for the kids. They'll get to play some high-level hockey at a good temple, but if we don't show up to play, it will be a quick tournament, for sure."