The midget B Cowichan Valley Thunder wrapped up the regular-season on Tuesday evening with a close loss to the Peninsula Warriors.
The Thunder, who finished fourth in the Island midget B division, lost 9-7 to the first-place Warriors, but didn't go down without a fight. Miles Brooks put Cowichan on the board first, and after 20 minutes, the Thunder held a 4-3 edge. The Warriors clawed their way back, however, and it was 6-6 at the end of the second period. Peninsula pulled ahead in the third, but Cowichan refused to give up, and Nathan Clark scored with 42 seconds left on the clock to get his team within two goals.
Boosting the Thunder in the regular-season finale were a trio of bantam call-ups: goalie Tayton Joe and runners Kurtis Smith and Brendon McDill.
The Thunder will open the Island playoffs on Saturday against the same Peninsula Warriors.