The Swift Current Diamond Energy Wildcats are still searching for ways to end their offensive dry spell.
They're one of the top defensive teams in the female Midget AAA hockey league, but have only scored twice in their last five games.
Coach Terry Pavely credits his group for battling hard in 2-0 and 2-1 losses to a hot Weyburn team last weekend.
Interview with Terry Pavely"We competed well, we were in games," Pavely said. "But we just got to find aways to get the puck into the back of the net. We do a lot of good things, we defend very well, our goaltending is very good... we've just got to get over that hump. I think one of the places we have to start is being more effective on our power play."
The Wildcats are 0 for their last 20 on the power play. He knows confidence could be an issue for their top guns as the scoring well has dried up lately.
"We talked to them this week and said don't put the weight of the world on your shoulders," Pavely noted. "Yeah you want your top kids to do it, but you also need your other kids to chip in. Its' a team thing. If you're having a little struggle make sure you're the best defensive player you can be and you do all the little things."
While the coaching staff has stressed getting pucks to the net more often, they are also working on drills in practice designed to coax some more offence out of their team. Pavely doesn't want to emphasize scoring so much that they get away from their very effective defensive game.
"We're very happy with our defensive play," Pavely added. "We've got such good centres defensively. Our d are very stingy, they battle hard on pucks, they keep their feet moving and they really keep the other teams to the outside. We've very close to being a good hockey team. We're one of the best defensive teams that if we can just find a way to get some goals we're going to move up the standings."
The Wildcats have only allowed 21 goals in 10 games. They've also only scored 13 times over that span.
Their next action is on the road this weekend in the Battlefords against the last place Sharks.
Thu, Apr 18, 6:30 PM
Contract, Full-time, Part-time, Seasonal, Term, Agriculture, Entry-Level, Labour
Featured
