The Yorkton Harvest are going back to the playoffs and minding the net will likely be 17-year-old veteran Kale Thomson.
The team qualified for last year's post season and went up against Prince Albert.
It is also Thomson's final season tending the nets of the Yorkton Midget AAA Harvest.
He told Yorkton This Week following his final regular season game that he would like to go out with a bang.
He hopes a strong playoff run will brighten his chances of playing at the Junior level next season, he said.This year, they clinched a spot a week or so ago, and have earned the right to challenge the Saskatoon Contacts in the opening best-of-five round.
"Last year was kind of a learning experience," he said following the finale of the regular season at the Farrell Agencies Arena Sunday afternoon."This year, we know what's coming."
Thomson who saw action in last year's playoffs, says he's ready to get going Thursday in Saskatoon when his club heads out on the road to open a best-of-five series with the Contacts.
The Harvest are 1-1 with Saskatoon on home ice this year and have a regulation loss and an overtime loss this season in Saskatoon.
"We've had tight games with them this year, he told the paper; the overtime loss was a 2-1 final back on Nov. 28.
"It's more exciting this year," he said.
Thomson said he realizes that there are going to be expectations put on a number of players on the Harvest roster this post season, including himself, to help out some of the rookies who have never made it this far before in Midget AAA.
"Last year, it was kind of surreal. (This year), I can help my team win games. Last year gave us some experience. Third-year guys will have to step it up."
Thomson said he is hoping that a strong showing in the playoffs may put him in good standing for a shot with Yorkton Junior A next season.
