The Airdrie Thunder head into 2018 with the best record in the Heritage Junior Hockey League, and they want to keep the good times rolling.

Airdrie finished 2017 with six straight wins, putting them first in the Northern Division and the entire HJHL with 38 points.

Head Coach Derek Stamp said despite some struggles early in the season, he's impressed with how the Thunder have played recently.

"December was a very positive month for us. We collected all the points we needed to and finished with a really good win against Red Deer, another top team. I think heading into 2018 we feel positive. We know that there's a lot of work still ahead but we're going in the right direction."

The Thunder have a busy weekend as they host the Ponoka Stampeders tomorrow (January 5) to kick start 2018. On Sunday (January 7), four Thunder players will suit up for the Northern Division at the league's All Star Game in Okotoks.

Stamp said that with the playoffs less than two months away, he wants to make sure the team gets better.

"Our focus is to really fine tune our details and the structure we know we need to play with to be successful when the games matter the most come the playoffs in February."

For Stamp, the season has had its challenges so far, but he's enjoyed the experience in his first year coaching in Junior B.

"The individuals that run the Thunder have been very supportive in terms of allowing me to put in the program that I told them I wanted to do. It's actually been a lot of fun and a very positive experience."

The Thunder and Stampeders face off in their game tomorrow night at 8:00 in the Ron Ebbesen Arena.

 

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