Article and Photographs by: Jamie
Dietrich
Children are usually not big fans of
change. Last week I made a new seating plan in my classroom to
encourage some underachieving students to improve. I explained it by
saying that if a hockey team is not winning, the coach may rearrange
the lines to increase offensive chances or to bolster the defense.
When they saw it in that light, and not as a punishment, they
understood. Coach Paul Bouzis is making a new seating plan for the
Gary Edgecombe C.A. Peewee Rep Coyotes.
The team is halfway through the regular season, sitting in 5th spot with a 3-5-2 record. The four teams ahead of them in the standings, whom they have not beaten, all have better goals for, but similar goals against. It becomes clear that the team has a solid defense and goaltending base, but desperately needs to score more goals. Coach Bouzis is asking the boys to work on their shots and to be open to line and position changes in the hopes of improving their game.
Jacob Fay has challenged his teammates to take part in the 5000 Puck Challenge. This OMHA sponsored programme which requires participants to shoot 500 pucks a week for 10 weeks is designed to improve shot speed, player quickness, and accuracy. Those who complete this challenge are sure to be better goal scorers.
Coach Paul has already found some success in his quest for the best arrangement of his players. Colin Kitching switched from defence to centre in the second period of the November 18th game against Wasaga Beach and scored a goal. In that same game, Colin's defence partner of late, Ben Dietrich, scored his first goal of the season, showing that everybody can contribute offensively.
Catch the Peewee Rep team in action, this Friday, November 23, at 8:10, when they host Midland.