SUNDRE — The midget Huskies recently played their first regular game of the season, facing off against the Delburne Outlaws.
The visiting team proved to be a tough competitor, taking an early game lead of 1-0 at the Sundre Arena on Friday, Nov. 22. They hung onto that momentum and went on to win 4-1, said Tony Myram, the Huskies’ head coach.
“They’ll be a tough team all the way through (the rest of the season),” said Myram.
The Huskies were back on home ice this past Friday evening playing against the Olds Grizzlys, who won a heavily contested battle 10-8.
"It was a shooting gallery," said Myram, adding the Huskies' offence was firing on all cylinders but that the team suffered from a few defensive lapses.
"Seemed like we got a goal, then gave up a goal."
At one point down by four goals, the coach said his team managed to close the spread.
"I don't think it's been since novice that we scored eight goals and lost a game," he said with a chuckle.
"We were expecting them to come out flying, and they did," he said about the competition.
The biggest highlight, the coach added, was his team taking only two penalities throughout the game.
"The guys did a good job keeping their composure and playing clean."
The Sundre Minor Hockey Association initially anticipated having two midget teams. In the end there were not quite enough players to be able to do so while ensuring they could play competitively, as going forward with two teams would have left each squad stretched too thin, he said.
“So we just went with the one team.”
Following pre-season rounds, the squad ended up placing in the Central Alberta Hockey League’s tier 2.
“We did fairly well,” the coach said, adding the team “played up to the standard I think they can play.”
There are, including the Huskies, eight teams in the league’s tier 2, and while the coach said his team hasn’t yet played against all of them, he anticipates stiff competition across the board.
“I expect it’s going to be even, hard-playing hockey,” he said, adding the challenge will provide his team with valuable experience to improve their skills.
“I look forward to having games like that all year.”
The Huskies are so far shaping up nicely, with a mix of new team members joining the ranks of more experienced players who are returning from last year, he said.
“It’s nice to have the continuity on the team from last year’s players.”
Meanwhile, the rookies have been picking up and progressing quickly, demonstrating a valuable contribution to the overall team effort, he said.
“Probably our biggest strength right now is our numbers,” he said.
“We have lots of kids that are eager to play.”
Because there weren’t quite enough players to form two teams, resulting in a large squad, some of them are sitting during a game, which makes them more keen to step up and play their hearts out, he said.
“They’re all willing to earn their ice time,” he said, adding their strength in numbers is complemented by “a good attitude.”
Similar to last year’s approach, he said coaching efforts are focused primarily on playing with respect, speed, skill and puck positioning.
“Our breakout is the most important thing we’re working on, and passing,” he said, adding, “Without those two things, we don’t have the puck.”
Further helping those efforts along include working on improving communication, he said, expressing optimism for the rest of the season.
“We’re looking forward to a good year.”