Game night Dec. 2:
Braves host Comox Valley Glacier Kings, 6:30 p.m. at Pearkes Arena.
This, that and everything has the Saanich Braves rolling through the IslandB次元官网网址檚 junior hockey league on a seven-game win streak, unbeaten throughout the month of November.
Coach Brad Cook is so enthusiastic with the way his team has come together, he canB次元官网网址檛 point to anything that isnB次元官网网址檛 going well right now.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e told the guys itB次元官网网址檚 OK if we stumble, as long as we donB次元官网网址檛 fall. After you win seven or more B次元官网网址� however long it goes B次元官网网址� the next step (once the streak ends) is not to go out and lose seven of the next 10.B次元官网网址�
But losing is the last thing on this teamB次元官网网址檚 mind. The stretch began with the teamB次元官网网址檚 annual Pink in the Rink breast cancer fundraiser back on Oct. 30, a 5-3 win over the Victoria Cougars.
It was the second night of a home-and-home series with the Cougars, who were the BravesB次元官网网址� latest victims on Friday (Nov. 25). That game ended 4-2 with a brawl that saw eight player ejections. It was a show of frustration from the Cougars though they retained the leagueB次元官网网址檚 best record.
Of course there are a few key elements the Braves couldnB次元官网网址檛 do without. Goalie Tanner McGaw is in top form. The rookies are developing quickly, with Jack Palmer (25 points) and Connor Krupa (21 points) averaging more than a point per game. And perhaps most important, captain Ty Jones has racked up a multi-point game for every win during the streak, totalling 30 points in the last 12 games.
Overall, the team is buying every little thing CookB次元官网网址檚 been preaching about.
B次元官网网址淎ll our systems -- team defence, guys back-checking, puck management -- theyB次元官网网址檙e sticking to it.B次元官网网址�
Saying the BravesB次元官网网址� dressing room is a fun place to be right now is an understatement, Cook added.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the time of their lives. The biggest thing I like is itB次元官网网址檚 100 per cent about the team. We donB次元官网网址檛 have any one guy pulling in a different direction.B次元官网网址�
Cook knows a thing or two about upbeat junior dressing rooms.
The Michigan native was on the B次元官网网址渟tackedB次元官网网址� 1993-94 Detroit Jr. Red Wings in the Ontario Hockey League that finished second overall during the regular season and was defeated in the finals by the North Bay Centennials. The Jr. Red Wings were owned by current Carolina Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos, and was coached by Paul Maurice with Jim Rutherford as general manager. ItB次元官网网址檚 the same triangle of management that was only broken up Monday when Maurice was relieved as head coach of the Hurricanes.
Cook was cut in 1995, but found his way to the Vernon Vipers where he won an RBC Cup.
He said his first step since returning to the Braves this year after a season away was teaching the team how to win.
B次元官网网址淲e lost about six one-goal hockey games and our third periods were our worst periods. Now itB次元官网网址檚 like, where do we go from here? ItB次元官网网址檚 only November. So weB次元官网网址檙e taking these things in steps.B次元官网网址�
ItB次元官网网址檚 about a mix of young guys finding their game and older guys getting back to theirs.
B次元官网网址淭he younger guys were away at BCHL and WHL camps to start the year. TheyB次元官网网址檙e working their butts off all summer to make those other teams and when we finally get them theyB次元官网网址檙e in great shape. ItB次元官网网址檚 the 18-, 19- and 20-year-old guys who take a couple of months to get in shape. TheyB次元官网网址檙e working full time, some live on their own, and theyB次元官网网址檙e playing out their junior years. TheyB次元官网网址檙e not as fit over the summer but they know theyB次元官网网址檙e going to be the better players in this league once they find their game.B次元官网网址�
General manager and part owner Norm Kelly has been with the team for four years. The biggest win streak in that time was six in a row in 2009, also with Cook as head coach.
B次元官网网址淭his is the best year in terms of focus, drive and player dedication since IB次元官网网址檝e been here,B次元官网网址� Kelly said. B次元官网网址淭here are no bad apples, the guys love being together, theyB次元官网网址檙e very self-motivated and want to succeed.B次元官网网址�
It means all kinds of options for Cook, who relishes having four lines he can rely on, with rookies he can play in any situation. Because the Braves started so poorly (2-7), theyB次元官网网址檇 need to extend the streak a couple more weeks before theyB次元官网网址檒l be anywhere close to the Cougars for first in the south division.
