The Midget AA North Central Bulls lost in a 6-0 shutout against the NE B.C. & Yukon Flyers last Friday night at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex.
An early goal 24 seconds into the first period knocked the Bulls off their game; another goal in the final minute of the period and three more in the second period made for an uphill battle for the rest of the game.
A final goal in the third period sealed the Bulls’ fate.
Head coach Terry Lovelace, who continues to fill in while the Midgets seek a permanent coach, said his team proved its potential with a strong performance in an evaluation tournament two weekends ago, but attributed the Sept. 27 loss to a number of events, starting with a bug making its way through the dressing room last week.
“We faced some challenges that we have to learn to deal with and play through and accept in games,” said Lovelace.
“Hockey’s a tough game, and you’re going to have injuries, suspensions — you’re going to have adversity through the year,” he said. “It’s important for these young men to learn how to deal with that adversity.”
Lovelace said the team was frustrated from the start with the absence of a number of their teammates due to illness, but that was no excuse to take the eight penalties they did throughout the game, ranging from slashing to hooking and high sticking.
“They were bad penalties, too; very bad penalties,” said Lovelace. “After-whistle, bad plays; people thinking of individuals instead of as a team, acting on their own self-interests.”
He maintains the Midgets are built around a good set of skilled players, saying, “We were not out-skilled … we were outplayed.”
Lovelace said he reminded the team on game night that they face 96 periods of hockey through the regular season, and they need to accept that they’re going to have some ups and downs throughout but need to stay focused.
Despite the night’s challenges, Lovelace worked to support that focus right to the end.
“We asked them at the end of the second period to wipe the first two periods out of their minds and start to get some momentum going and prove to themselves they can play with this (Flyers) team and pretty much any team in this league,” said Lovelace.
“They have the skill. It’s how they choose to play that will make the difference,” he said, acknowledging it’s onwards and upwards for the team despite the heavy loss.
The team has firmed up its player list after a tryout tournament at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex Sept. 20–22.
“In total, we had approximately 40 players try out for the team, which is an excellent improvement from the previous year,” Lovelace said. “Everyone tries out. No (returning player) has a spot on the team.”
A team is allowed to have a maximum of 17 skaters and two goalies.
“We are currently at 15 skaters and two goalies,” he said. “Our evaluations are mainly based on selecting players who are able to play at the AA level.”
Lovelace said the team was undefeated in the evaluation tournament.
“It was a great result for the team, and it gives us some indication that we are going to be competitive this year,” he said.
The team played against Wainwright, Bonnyville and Morinville.
The upcoming season has the team playing 32 games around northern Alberta.
“We had a tough year last year, and this year we hope to be a lot more competitive,” he said. “I know we are going to win games this year. How many? That depends on how well we play.”
Lovelace is optimistic.
“The boys showed a lot of improvement through the tournament, and we are excited to see what we can do in the upcoming season,” he said.
Players are Kolton Bobocel, Andre Kuznetsov, Ty Tipton, Rylan Durell, Hayden Kononchuk, Ryan Runcer, Rylan Tkachuk, Chase Caldwell, Tyler Young, Nathan Klaczek, Wes Thompson, Chris Laroque, Ryan Kilar, Preston Sparklingeyes, Chris Dubrule, Mason Gautierw and Mitchell Lovelace.
