On Dec 30th, the LL2 team made a “rare” visit to their own Port Stanley arena, but as the visitor, to take on their hometown rivals, the Peewee LL1 team. Acting as the away team, the LL2 squad donned their away black uniforms and sat in the unfamiliar confines of the Away bench. Not only were the circumstances of being a visiting team in our own rink unusual, but so too were the results, as the high-powered LL2 offence sputtered to a 1-0 loss to LL1
The Peewee LL1 team played a strong physical game, and benefited from an unlucky bounce that saw a member of the steady Blueline Crew accidently deflect a puck into the net for the game’s only goal. The LL2 squad just didn’t seem to be able to generate the kind of speed, skill, and team play that has carried them through the majority of the season. The size and physical play of the LL1 team seemed to slow the team down, and prevent them from showcasing the high skill level and offensive abilities that we’ve seen so far this season.
It was a hard, but very important, lesson for the LL2 team to learn as the season progresses. The team will need to increase the level of their play if they’re going to compete with teams that are bigger and stronger. They have seen the results of battling through a game, and can take that knowledge into the New Year’s opening tournament in Paris...........