Oct 01, 2018 | Todd McGregor | 1265 views
A Game of Firsts...
This weekend, the Owen Sound Locking Business Furnishings Atom
AE Team suffered a loss in their first scheduled contest, against the visiting
Elmvale Coyotes.
Although this game ended in a very difficult loss for the Attack, there were a lot of positives the Coaches have taken away from the tilt.
Early in this contest, the Jr Attack competed hard and at times dictated the play.
The Attack battled hard with the first period ending in a 1-0 deficit as a result of a seeing-eyed puck shot through traffic from the point.
The second period started much like the first had ended. The Attack continued to put good pressure on the puck in our own end, and pushed their opponent to the outside. However, mid way through the period, it seemed that a bit of panic had set in, and we started to deviate from our plan and where we had started.
These are the two periods we will focus on moving forward, and will continue to work on our team fundamentals.
The theme this year as a newly formed Atom AE Team is that this season is a Marathon and Not a Sprint!
These early results don't define us. They only shape and determine the areas that we will focus on and will that make us GREAT at the finish line!
Today our squad learned the importance of leading as a Team, and understanding it takes more than individual effort to defeat any opponent.
Even though the outcome of this game was not what we had hoped for...it was a good opportunity for a team reflection on our Firsts!
Not only was this our first game to try and size up the competition, and the level of compete that is going to be required this season; but there were others..
Sundays match-up would be a First Game in an Attack uniform for a young man that has just moved into our area from another province, and had yet to experience the pride of putting on that Jr Attack Jersey. This teammate brings with him an obvious passion and tenacity for the game that will always be welcome on this team... and greatly appreciated by this coaching staff. Although the Bayshore is brand new for this young man, he looked right at home on the ice!
This day would also be the First Game as a Goaltender for another Attacker. One can practice and learn, but there is no better opportunity to understand what is at stake than ones first game. Even though this turned out as a tough loss for our crew, it also provided great reflection for our new tender who now has a renewed sense of competition, and is ready only to be better. This was a great outing for a First time ever!
Sunday was also a first for a number of our returning Veterans. Returning to a team is a great accomplishment for any player, but as a second year player, there are expectations that this group will provide the leadership and become good role models for those first year players. This group of Attackers did just that. I am certain that as the year progresses, this great group of young men will continue to set a great example.
And finally, today would be a First game for a number of Attackers to the Representative hockey experience. A number of players on our team have made the jump up to compete at a higher level this season. It didn't take long for our players to recognize the increased level of competition, and the focus and determination that is required to help our team to be successful.
Although Sunday was not a victory on the score sheet, there were some very positive first steps in our Marathon of what hopes to be a GREAT season! Now we know what is required...now it's the time where we push ourselves to be even better!