Thursday is always the hardest part of the Alberta Open. We've had a draining 14-15 hour bus ride to get here, a night of little sleep, then mayhem at the pool. Everyone plays their first game on adrenaline and then crashes. Sometimes the crash is during that game in the 3rd or 4th quarter, other times it is during the next game.
Our Cadet Boys started out very well vs Calgary and controlled every aspect of the game. Unfortunately they gave the ball away 30+ times and allowed Calgary back into the game after leading 5-1 in the second half. It was a 1 goal loss that resulted from fatigue. From there it was downhill and they played their most lazy and lethargic game ever vs Saanich to end up losing to a much inferior team. Tonights last game, yes their 3rd in half a day, was a lopsided loss to a hard countering Fraser Valley team that is half Valley and half Storm from last years BC teams.
Bantam girls also struggled with mental errors and lost a decent 1st game to Fraser Valley and then a lopsided game to an Alberta team that is made up of 2 alberta clubs and some Neptune girls from Winnipeg. They had too many players to outswim us and the lack of jump in our play resulted in lost passes and missed shots. Nothing that is not able to be corrected right here, this weekend. They are playing well, just to tired to be really sharp. Bantam Boys also lost to Calgary today as we did not have the depth to keep up to the never-ending driving and shooting of that more experienced Calgary group.
Atom team played only 1 game but came from behind to win and feel confident for tomorrow morning vs LA. The Cadet Girls also came from behind vs a Calgary team after losing 3-0 in the first quarter. Delaney had started in net and all the goals were outside shots on free throws that were high corners that she just could not get to. None were her fault though since the defense was supposed to block those free throws. They adjusted in the second quarter and no mire goals against Delaney. Shae as really frustrated and tired so missed many shots in the first half. I had a chat with her after the 3rd quarter and she made every adjustment we talked about to lead the team on a 4 goal outburst to win by 8-4. She only scored a couple of those but her confidence and renewed effort gave Jaelyn and Sarah Mutch the confidence to score to last 2 insurance goals. Sandra also benefitted from watching the shooters early and was superb on the long shots when she got to play net.
Youth Women just humbled Calgary B 11-2 but we had been winning 9-0 for the first 3 quarters. Everyone did things well in that game so we have lots to look forward to there. The Youth Men gave Regina some hope as they went up early then relaxed and let them come back to within a goal. I was frustrated with some starters and sat them for awhile so it was not a "play the best guys all game" sort of match by any means.
We have some small teams here and some players to ill to play today (Dylan, Devon, Miranda) and some ill enough to not be at their best. Friday is always a rebound day for us so I hope we play with a little more zip and confidence. Lots of early games Friday with Cadet girls and Atoms at 725, Youth Women at 820 (Storm) and 1010 (Calgary A). That means Youth women will be finished for the day by 1100am having played twice, what are the chances that was a coincidence in schedule making?
Over-all our goalies are outstanding and have shown they are the best club of goaltenders here. That reflects well on everyone and it anchors our defense which we are having fun experimenting with.
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