It could be a historic week for the Chatham-Kent Cyclones Under-13 AAA boys team.
The team will be in Sudbury taking part in the U13 AAA Regional Championship. No Under-13 Chatham team has won the tournament in its 57-year history.
The Cyclones earned their spot in the championship after winning the ALLIANCE Hockey Under-13 AAA Championship in the Town of Essex. The team got off to a shaky start, tying their second game of the tournament, something that only happened four times in 31 games prior.
"I don't know if it was the nerves or the excitement or just being off for a while, said Kyle Hope, the Cyclones' Head Coach.
The team would win their next three games, including a 3-0 shutout in the championship game.
Hope noted the team held a party after winning in Essex but quickly changed their focus to Sudbury. The Cyclones are one of seven teams looking to win the championship.
"We're definitely going to have to be at our best," added Hope.
The Cyclones' first game will be on April 9 at 11:45 a.m. against the Thunder Bay Kings. The next day, they'll play the Barrie Jr Colts at 9:45 a.m. and the Sudbury Wolves at 3:45 p.m.
The Cyclones play one game on April 11 against the North Bay Trappers, with puck drop at 1:45 p.m.
The last two games of the round robin will happen on April 12, the first against the Vaughan Kings at 10:15 and the second against the Ottawa Valley Titans at 4:15 a.m.
The semi-finals, third-place game, and championship will be held on April 13.
"We're not going for a vacation; we're going to win," said Hope.
The Cyclones will officially head to Sudbury on Tuesday.
