Photo Credit: Ryleigh Paulson
Article: Gord Montgomery
Back-to-back losses, one in OT, don’t a season make but if that trend continues it could make for a long season.
Despite the setbacks, 4-3 in overtime to the Trail Smoke Eaters and 4-1 to the Cranbrook Bucks, Saints Head Coach Martin Lachaine was optimistic about how things looked.
“I think that our first game, we kind of didn’t show up,” he began. “I mean, guys were not dialled in defensively,” as the Saints gave up a 3-1 l lead late in the third period including a 6-on-4 power play goal that tied things up with just over 60 seconds to play. “We got a few bounces but what I take away from that weekend is that it’s a long season. Fifty-four games. Um, we need to build on the positive side and out of that weekend I thought it was our best weekend at being more disciplined, so that was a positive.
“Our D-zone coverage was a bit better so the guys are learning the system and the structure better and better.
“But yeah, losing late on late penalties was tough for us. And, today (against Cranbrook) early I wish we could have had a better event and results. But, we win as a team and lose as a team. Yeah, it looks like a catastrophe, but like I always say, ‘In all catastrophe there’s always good news and it’s up to us to find it,’ and then move on.”
In the weekend’s second game, trailing 1-0 against the Bucks the Saints evened the score and looked to take momentum from Cranbrook, but a scant 25 seconds later the Bucks retook the lead which they never gave up. And that’s not the first time that quick turnabout scenario has played out.
About that, Lachaine noted, “You know, we have what I can see compared to other years is a very young team. So sometimes yes, it might be the focus and details. But, it’s also a lot of guys who never played junior hockey yet so the gap between the ones that did and the ones that never had a junior hockey game is kind of very wide right now. The gap is being shrunk every day. These guys are learning and it puts pressure on the top guys, the older guys, to have more ice time or to be a little bit more conscious on puck management and defensive coverage and stuff like that to make sure,” these types of situations don’t continue. “Yeah, you’re right, it’s not easy. Not easy. It’s a fine balance.”
For some reason the Saints, even in the AJ days, have had trouble dealing with the fast pace and diligent forecheck of BC-based clubs as opposed to the crash-and-bang style of Alberta teams. To that, the coach said, “Correct. You’re absolutely correct,” when that question of handling the West Coast style was posed. “The Alberta division is much more physical, like you say, grinding up and down the ice and probably a little bit more strong. But, with that said the B.C. teams, the whole league, is so skilled and so good. So there’s not a lot of weaknesses in this league and every night is a battle.”
Asked about what style he sees this club adhering to going forward, skater Owen Leckelt said, “I think it’s going to take both. It takes the Alberta style, like you say, wearing our opponents down, being physical. Sometimes getting in their faces. But then also it takes playing with speed, moving the puck. Using each other. I wouldn’t says skill like we’re not trying to dangle through guys but like using our IQ and our skating skills and stuff like that to play as a team.”
As to the vets leading the charge from here on and setting the example for the rookies to follow, Leckelt said, “We’ve got to play with more heart. Put passion into it. Sometimes like we’re kind of out of our systems and we need to come together and play as a group and not be selfish.”
Looking ahead to next weekend and two more games against B.C. teams, Powell River and Victoria, Lachaime said, “I think we gotta be a little bit more involved early. We have to play us. We have to play our style. Of course we have to make adjustments in the game but we have an identity we have to play for and if we do that then we get better. So yeah, the Saints have always be a team very physical, very fast, no space no time and that’s what we want to develop.”
The Saints host Powell River on Friday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m. and Victoria at 6 p.m. the following night at the Thompson Family Arena.
