Wayne Strachan
This week saw us play two games. We started off last Wednesday in Dryden against the Ice Dogs and lost 7-4, including one empty-net goal.
My overall thoughts on the game were pretty good considering the score. In the first two periods, we were down 5-2 but our team’s effort and work ethic was some of the best we have had in our last 10 games.
The third period saw us give up an early power-play marker and then our bad habits came to haunt us again.
In our second match-up at home versus the K&A Wolverines (Thunder Bay) on Saturday, we jumped out to an early lead with our best period of play I can remember in some time.
However, we didn’t work hard enough in the second period and K&A capitalized on many chances from our defensive zone breakdowns.
I was pleased to see that in the third we didn’t roll over and die, and a break here or there offensively may of given us an opportunity to get back in the game. We took the loss 8-5.
A frustrating week of hockey is highlighted by a few positive things in the right direction. First, it seems that our practice-like-you-play mentality is sinking into the players. Our last four practices, including Monday of this week, have seen the players work very hard at wanting to improve and get better.
Our intensity and effort have been at a high and, for the most part, has carried over into our games. Out of the 120 minutes of hockey played last week, I was impressed with our play for 85 of them.
Now one would say that isn’t enough to get the job done, and I agree. But for our young team that is going through many growing pains, it was very good to see—and needed. I truly believe we are getting through to many of the young players and they are realizing what it takes now to compete at this level.
In saying that, we are working hard and our effort is there. Now we need to concentrate on shoring up our defensive zone and limiting our opponents’ scoring chances to a minimum.
In practice I watch our players do the job, have their man, and work hard to have their assignment. When we get to the games, though, our inexperience seems to set in and we panic, we throw the puck away, and we watch them with the puck too much and forget where our men are.
Something we are improving at, but need to get in our heads, is that we must be accountable and have pride in our defensive end. It is the most important part of the game.
Again, it is a work in progress. We are getting better and will continue to make this aspect our number-one process in practice.
Saturday against K&A saw Justin Erhart play his best game since joining the squad. He was moving his feet, battling for the puck, and using his skill. He also opened the scoring with a very nice goal.
Newcomer Cody Edwards has been steady since joining the team—a good strong skater who competes hard. He also is a good penalty kill guy, and has an offensive upside.
He and Jaret Leclair complement each other nicely on their line and have been wreaking a lot of havoc for our opponents.
It is good to see our new players fitting in.
I would just like to say thank you to our fans for their support. I know there have been some trying times out on the ice this season, but don’t give up on us!
We have our goal, as I mentioned previously, to finish third in the regular season and chip away in the playoffs.
Things are getting better and will continue to get better. We still have more than half-a-season to go and the Lakers will improve in the end.
We have two games on tap this week—both against the big dogs in the league. Dryden came in last night (Dec. 15) after losing a weekend series to the first-place Fort William North Stars.
We will need to get on them early and often, and capitalize on our scoring chances.
Then Friday will see our last game before the Christmas break versus the 15th-ranked team in the country: the North Stars. This will be a big test for us as we need to get some confidence against the two top teams in the SIJHL and feel good about ourselves going into the break.
