Competitive teams, (AKA Travel Team) at the Bantam level require more commitment and focus than rec league. It is my observation that as players get older, especially fourteen years and up, the skill levels on the teams condenses. The range is not so wide as one might find on a Squirt or PeeWee team. Getting a late start to the hockey party doesn’t mean you don’t have a good chance. With focus and a plan most players can aspire to and succeed at competitive play.

Through my participation with Jondon Trevina’s Power Skating I became aware that at some time or another I see the A and AA players in attendance. Craig Smoot is a Fort Collins Dad with three boys in competitive play. To help finance that adventure he offers dryland training programs that are limited to motivated, focused players. While most of the participants are competitive level players some are just regular hockey kids looking for that extra boost. I have seen first hand the difference a three week program can make, it is impressive.

Coach Flash’s recommendation for players looking to make the most of their hockey experience:
1.) Make it to every practice and focus on hockey skills and game knowledge
2.) Participate in Power Skating
3.) Arrange to commit to a dryland training program
4.) Find every excuse to get on the ice and have some fun
5.) Sign up of at least one hockey camp (with a buddy if you can)

Some parents/players have expressed interest in off ice training. My experience at the rec level with this is most parents won’t want/be able to get their kids to the EPIC for weekly sessions. Therefore the other coaches and I agreed to provide some introductory dryland fun on a once or twice a month basis based upon participation. This Thursday will be a first exploration of off-ice interest.

I’d love to chat more about it so grab me after a game, dryland or practice.

–Flash

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Competitive teams, (AKA Travel Team) at the Bantam level require more commitment and focus than rec league. It is my observation that as players get older, especially fourteen years and up, the skill levels on the teams condenses. The range is not so wide as one might find on a Squirt or PeeWee team. Getting a late start to the hockey party doesn’t mean you don’t have a good chance. With focus and a plan most players can aspire to and succeed at competitive play.

Through my participation with Jondon Trevina’s Power Skating I became aware that at some time or another I see the A and AA players in attendance. Craig Smoot is a Fort Collins Dad with three boys in competitive play. To help finance that adventure he offers dryland training programs that are limited to motivated, focused players. While most of the participants are competitive level players some are just regular hockey kids looking for that extra boost. I have seen first hand the difference a three week program can make, it is impressive.

Coach Flash’s recommendation for players looking to make the most of their hockey experience:
1.) Make it to every practice and focus on hockey skills and game knowledge
2.) Participate in Power Skating
3.) Arrange to commit to a dryland training program
4.) Find every excuse to get on the ice and have some fun
5.) Sign up of at least one hockey camp (with a buddy if you can)

Some parents/players have expressed interest in off ice training. My experience at the rec level with this is most parents won’t want/be able to get their kids to the EPIC for weekly sessions. Therefore the other coaches and I agreed to provide some introductory dryland fun on a once or twice a month basis based upon participation. This Thursday will be a first exploration of off-ice interest.

I’d love to chat more about it so grab me after a game, dryland or practice.

–Flash

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We gave it our best shot and came up short. All in all the guys played hard and had fun in the process. There has been some locker room talk regarding scheduling some dryland training sessions; give ‘em a taste of plyometrics, core conditioning etc…

Tyler was able to put one in the net for our team and Arden had a great game in goal. Sam was the deer in the headlights on D. Not to worry Sam, it will be a long time before we put you back there again!

Pictured: Jeff Rain giving his post game synopsis.

Final Score 1-4
Goal from Tyler.

Arden Bing earns player of the game for outstanding goal tending. With a Goals Average Allowed of .89 he can hold his head up in our loss to the Hyland Hills Hockey Association Jaguars. Poor Sam got stuck on D. A place he made sure everybody on the team knew he didn’t want to be. He did his best and learned an little about ‘Head on a Swivel’. The Jaguars offensive were pretty committed early on to getting behind our defensemen, something they had great success at leading to their first period goal. Their players Grayson Brunner and Ben Walters did a good job of working together to put two out of the four points up on the scoreboard. We are conveniently ignoring that empty net goal late in the third when we pulled Arden in an attempt to have some good old fashioned hockey fun.

Our intention in this game was to win some face-offs thereby controlling the puck early on. We were off to a great start after the first two shifts were able to hold the Jaguars in their own zone. A Grizzly fan mentioned they saw us having more success at winning the face-offs but noticed our Defense need more practice at what to do with the puck once we have it. Cest le vie!

Penalty minutes was a huge improvement. I can’t imagine how we would have fared if we had racked up ten or so minutes the way we have in the past. It was an exciting game and we had a real chance of pulling even; especially given our level of play for all of the second period and most of the third. I’m looking forward to the rematch on our home ice.

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Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect but Sunday morning practice payed off. Apparently there is something to be said for getting to loose pucks. Across the board (or boards if you will) our guys beat their opponents to the majority of loose pucks. The end result was scoring chances; several of which were rewarded with goals.

Our Goalie Chris Morgan had a great game. His aggressive animated play kept Arvada out of the net and under tremendous pressure. The end result of our opponents ‘trying harder’ was evident in the penalties they took (as is generally the case).

Team & Individual Photos
A strict schedule has been setup. Our guys will need to be camera ready at 5pm on Sunday Oct. 29th.

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OHMYGOD! We put up one shot on goal against the Apex bantam team. They on the other hand managed around 29. Ouch, that hurts. Adam; “They have a lot of 2nd Years”. Zac; “So do we”. Can’t argue with the truth. Has anybody noticed the DNHL PeeWee team is undefeated? They beat Arvada’s APEX team 8-0.

Age, experience and skill are important considerations. We have our ages, our experience and skill levels to work with. Forge ahead I say. Did our fans see any change? Did we improve our break-out? Did you hear open players calling for the puck? Players agreed yes, but only 50% change. I expect to bring that up to at least 75% this weekend and hopefully add some better skating, better control of the puck and maybe one or two passes actually directed to a team mate. Stay tuned…

Practice Saturday at 3:15 PM EPIC Blue (shared again)
Game Sunday 10:15 EPIC Green vs. AHA (again)

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