A slow start isnB次元官网网址檛 phasing the Saanich Braves.

The team is much younger from the group that finished second place in the VIJHL South division last year. It has a new coach and a lot of fresh faces in the dressing room.

Friday night the Braves seek their second win of the 2017-18 season as they host the Victoria Cougars (3-1) at Pearkes arena, 6:30 p.m. Saturday the Braves visit the Comox Valley Glacier Kings (1-3).

B次元官网网址淚t could have started better,B次元官网网址� said defenceman Jake Wilhelm, an 18-year-old making who played in the BCHL last year. B次元官网网址淎ll of our games have been one goal differences. It would have been nice to be on the winning side of those games but, I think weB次元官网网址檝e proved that we can be a top team in this league.B次元官网网址�

To back up WilhelmB次元官网网址檚 point, the Braves did pot four goals in a 5-4 loss against the league-leading and defending champion Campbell River Storm on Sept. 9.

But the BravesB次元官网网址� only win in their first four games of the season came against the Oceanside Generals on Sept. 15. In that game the Braves took a 4-0 lead in the first period and hung on to win 5-4.

B次元官网网址淥ur downfall right now is we find a patch in each game, maybe 10 minutes where we lose our momentum, and it seems to bother us a good amount, which we canB次元官网网址檛 let it do,B次元官网网址� Wilhelm said.

Coach Sam Waterfield says itB次元官网网址檚 a time of growth for the group of rookies whoB次元官网网址檙e new to junior this year.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e a young team, theyB次元官网网址檙e coming together, itB次元官网网址檚 been a fun start,B次元官网网址� Waterfield said. B次元官网网址淎t this level if you make a mistake it ends up in the back of the net and itB次元官网网址檚 going to cost you games, [and] it has early on this year and thatB次元官网网址檚 something we need to work on.B次元官网网址�

Among the rookie crew is Hayden Visscher who has three goals in his first four games and, Zach Guerra, with a goal and an assist.

Returning veteran Dale McCabe leads the team with two goals, two assists.

For Waterfield, adding a player like Wilhelm is an ideal roster move. The former South Island Royals major midget player is locally produced and returned home after he declined a summer trade from the

Wilhelm is content now to play for the Braves while working part time and studying post-secondary online.

reporter@saanichnews.com