(Photo: Bradley Jones)

The Airdrie Techmation Thunder are gearing up for a new year, hitting the ice this past weekend for their first taste of the preseason.

Playing in back to back exhibition games against the Mountainview Colts on Friday and Saturday, the Junior B hockey team managed to win both games and get out on the right foot.

While the Thunder are looking to return to the playoffs for the second straight season, Head Coach Randy Buckle will have some important decisions to make over the coming week when the team wraps up their preseason this weekend.

Buckle's squad squeezed out a 4-3 win against the Colts on Friday before doubling up the Didsbury team on Saturday 6-3.

Thunder veteran Clay Murray lead the team with 2 goals on Saturday while five other veterans also found the score sheet as Parker Georgson, Trevor Strong, Tyler Perkins, Gavin Klein, and Kris LeClair lit the lamp.

Jared Bainbridge, an Airdrie Minor Hockey League product, and Dylan McCaig also scored over the weekend and will be looking to make a permanent stay on the roster this season.

Airdrie will close out their preseason this weekend by visiting the Cochrane Generals on Friday and battling the Strathmore Wheatland Kings Saturday afternoon.

The Thunder open up their regular season at home at Ron Ebbesen Arena on Friday, September 25th against the Generals.

Bradley Jones - airdrienews@goldenwestradio.com