Ice Ready to Take on Veg After Xmas Break

The Cold Lake Jr B Ice enjoyed a nice three week break from games over the holiday season, which served as rejuvenation for the squad, as well as valuable practice time. Head coach, Scott Hood says it wasn’t all turkey, presents, and resting for the boys.

“We got a few practices in,” says Coach Hood, most recently, Thursday evening, as the team prepares for their sole game of the weekend, against Vegreville. The Rangers are close on the heels of the Ice in the standings, just one point behind in sixth place with 24 points. With only ten games left in the regular, Coach Hood says it’s important for the club to focus on staying in that upper half of the standings.

“You look back now, and the first little while was a learning experience for everybody,” Coach Hood, who took over the team this year, says there was a lot of rebuilding and adjusting this season. “We have ten games left and from forth to eighth place is a little tight. We get a win streak and we can finish in that forth spot.” It’s not just the home ice advantage, which every club longs for, it’s the match-ups in the first round. Place six through eight will be lined up against the one through three teams, Wainwright, Killiam, or St. Paul.

“You want to avoid that off the first round,” states Hood. It’s completely possible for the Ice to take on and win against any team in the NEAJBHL, says Hood, “the coaching staff got talking and no team has really blown us out. It’s just a matter of getting everything together for a nice little stretch and hopefully, thing pan out for us.”

The Ice will be sticking to their structures that Hood put in place in October, explains the coach, “you gotta stay pretty consistent, a little more positivity for everybody, and there’s stuff we need to work on and address, but that’ll come in time.”

Now you’re fighting for playoff positions. The team’s gotta come to work every single game. – Scott Hood Head Coach Cold Lake Jr B Ice

Saturday’s home game is at Imperial Oil Place, Energy Centre, Cold Lake. Puck drops at 8:00 pm.