The young ODSS Bears hockey team is chalking this season up to experience, and hope to be at the top of the District 10 standings in a year or two.
The Bears — who feature 10 players in grades 9 and 10 — lost for the third time in four tries on Thursday, 8-2 against Guelph CVI. Their lone point came in a 4-4 tie with St. James on Nov. 21.
“We’re going young here,” Bears co-coach Jamie Richards said. “Both of our goalies [Ryan Mantle and Tommy Denstedt] are young. We’re a work-in-progress. We’re trying to teach the kids what they need to do to play at this level. We keep harping on the same message, and we’re hoping that they get the message. This is fast hockey, and they have to learn to cover the net and not miss their defensive responsibilities.”
The Bears started Thursday’s game on a strong note, as team captain Sagar Darar opened the scoring early in the first period, assisted by Brenden Miller and Travis Szabolcs. The visitors regrouped quickly, however, and held a 4-1 lead after the opening period. Leading 2-1, Guelph scored twice in just over a minute late in the period to take control of the game.
“After a couple of goals it just seems like we give up,” Darar said. “I guess we’ve got to come together as a team better.”
The Bears trailed 6-1 after two periods, and scored their last goal in the third period courtesy of Miller.
“When you’ve got 14-year-olds playing against an 18- or 19-year-old, it’s a huge difference with speed and strength,” Richards said. “For our boys who are in Grade 9, it’s a tremendous challenge to be out there. It’s going to improve their game and we’ll see that improvement over time. We’re really hopeful that playing this caliber of hockey is going to raise their game.”
Experience
The young Bears will learn a lot from co-coach Justin Davis, who played in the Ontario Hockey League, was a fourth round draft choice of the Washington Capitals and played professionally for two years in Europe.
“Justin brings a tremendous hockey experience to the program,” Richards said. “He’s a huge addition to our staff. He’s a great hockey guy; the kids like him. They couldn’t ask for a more experienced coach. They’re listening to him and they’re going to benefit from his expertise.”
A year ago the Bears finished in a tie for fifth in District 10 with a 6-5-3 record, losing in the quarterfinals. While Richards says “we’re hoping to be mid-pack if we can,” there are no expectations on the team, at least for this year.
“The strength of our team is our youth,” Richards said. “We’re looking down the road. We’ve got some great leaders; guys who are the core of our leadership will be in Grade 12 next year. So I think when they’re in Grade 12 and all of our Grade 9s and 10s are a year older, we’ll be a much better team.”