For the first time in decades, the Becker/Big Lake Hockey Association will be sending a boy’s team to their respective regional tournament. 

The Peewee B1 team had an explosive start to the season, winning 12 of their first 13 games, including a tournament in Little Falls.

“As a coaching staff, we knew we had great potential this season,” said head coach, Brady Borkoski. “Our team has a lot of talent, and coaches with a lot of experience. And we had a great start to the season. The kids really came together quickly as a team and learned how to play with each other right from our first game.”

Even with the great start, this season wasn’t without its challenges for the team. There was a point in the season where things didn’t look like they were heading in the right direction, including a streak of five losses in a row.   

“With all the success we had early this season, our boys really didn’t face adversity until about the mid-point of the year,” said Borkoski. “At that point we had to learn how to come together as a team. Every team faces those challenges, and each responds differently.” 

“Looking back, I’m glad it happened when it did ,” continued Borkoski. “It gave the coaching staff time to address it, and allow the team to work together and overcome each challenge – building each other up instead of pointing out each other’s imperfections.”

It’s been several years since the hockey association has had a team advance to the regional tournament. They’ve had teams come close in the past, but struggled to reach the pinnacle of advancing past district play. This year, they got it done.

“We’ve been close in the past,” said Borkoski. “But in those critical games we have come up just a bit short. It was great to see our players come together, and beat a well-coached team that had beaten us four times already this season. It shows the character of our boys, and what hard work can accomplish when you come together as a team. I’m so proud of this team.”

The team’s first game will be in Moose Lake, Fri., March 4 at 8 p.m. The tournament will be played over the weekend. The bracket is full of skilled teams, and some familiar faces that the team is excited to have the opportunity to play again. The expectations have been high from the start of the season, and the team knows there’s no letting down now.

“I’m excited for these boys to represent our communities in this way, and experience the result of all the hard work they’ve put in this year,” said Borkoski. “We’ve played some of these teams before, and we know we can skate with them. It will be a tall task to compete, but we’re up for it. Again, I’m so proud of these boys – they’ve earned this, and they deserve to be on this stage.”