Written By: Steve Barber, Coyote Trainer (Pun intended).
What a season so far! All of the games
have been fun and exciting to watch. There have been some tough losses, but I
have been amazed at the resilience of the team, even if they are down they find
a way to win a period or block that last shot. They are fighters, they never give up, and they stick up for each other… like a pack of coyotes!
We have 5 wins, outstanding! We have beaten Wasaga Beach, Coldwater, Midland, Penetang and the other Elmvale team! How did we win these game? Are we always the best skilled team out there every night? NO! Do we play as a team? YES! I give the kids full credit coming together as a team, as a unit that goes out every night and plays their hearts out. Everyone is giving 100%, never giving up, and helping their teammates. They are looking for the pass, getting back on D, blocking shots and protecting our goalie.
There have been some rough moments and tough calls but the kids have responded with sportsmanship, dignity and have done the club proud. I remember being at the Ayr tournament Sunday morning to see if Drayton could help us get in the finals. I was chatting with a Drayton Dad and he commented on how well he thought our team played, no cheap shots, no slashing just great hockey. He said that it was the most enjoyable game they played in the tournament so far and they would love to play us again. That shows the integrity of the kids, and makes the coaching staff proud!
We have a few penalty minutes, but it is nothing to worry about. In talking with Wayne the coach of PeeWee 1 and we got on the PM topic, he said that we are an aggressive team that fights for the puck, in the corners and back on D, and protecting our goalie, that's why we are getting penalties. It's not because we hack and slash it's because we are aggressive, like coyotes should be. Statistics from the first 13 games show, that if we can hold our opponents to 3 goals of less we always come out on top. However if we let them score 4 or more we don't fair out as well. What's that tell us? Keep being first to the puck, keep standing tough on defence and keep the traffic away from our goalie. Keep playing as a pack!
We have accomplished a lot so far, we are building and getting stronger with each game. I know I speak for the rest of the coaching staff when I say that we are very impressed and humbled by the kids, they have come together as a ferocious pack of coyotes! They play with passion and with respect for the sport and make us proud every game. There is a lot more excitement to come with the rest of the season and next tournament. I know we will be the team that finally gives Oro their first loss! Bring on Wasaga Beach!
Happy holidays to everyone and their families!