Thundersticks women’s side chasing Hockey One glory in finals weekend in Bendigo

The Perth Thundersticks and Tambellup star Penny Squibb will play off for a spot in the 2022 Hockey One grand final on Saturday morning. Hockey One is Australia’s premier men’s and women’s competition with Bendigo Regional Hockey Complex hosting the semifinals on Saturday, and the grand finals and third place playoffs on Sunday. Squibb has been a key part of the Thundersticks side that finished second on the women’s ladder with four wins and two losses from their six qualifying games. The Hockeyroos defender missed her side’s opening match of the Hockey One campaign but returned as a starter in the next five round-robin games. Squibb scored a penalty corner conversion in the sixth minute of the Thundersticks 3-1 win over the Canberra Chill on November 5. The Thundersticks started their tournament with a 3-1 win over the Adelaide Fire on October 1 and then beat HC Melbourne 2-0. At home the Thundersticks went down in round three to the Brisbane Blaze, 3-0, before travelling to Sydney where they lost 0-2 to the NSW Pride. The Thundersticks bounced back to down the Tassie Tigers 3-0 and then finished the regular games with a victory over the Chill to finish second on the standings. That sets up a semifinal showdown with the third-placed Pride on Saturday in Bendigo, Victoria. Thundersticks women’s coach Phil Hulbert said his side was hungry for finals success this weekend. “I’m very proud of the girls, it’s been a while since the women have had success,” he said. “The side has enjoyed a good tournament, they’re playing really well as a team. “Just making the finals isn’t good enough for us though, we want to win.” The Thundersticks and Pride will clash in the semifinal at 7.35am on Saturday with the winner reaching Sunday’s grand final at 11.15am, while the loser will be in the third place playoff at 7.35am on Sunday. The Thundersticks men’s side also reached the finals and will play the Chill in Saturday’s semifinal.