Steam look to keep it simple against Golden
Special to the Herald
Regardless of their Kootenay International Junior Hockey League opponent, Summerland Steam players know they must be ready.
“You have to come prepared to go to battle no matter what team it is,” said Steam forward Brett Wilson, as the group is set to host the Golden Rockets on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Summerland Arena.
With a win and a loss, the Steam coaching staff is focused on continuing to build their game.
“It’s just relaxing and helping the boys understand how they need to play at this level,” said Steam head coach John DePourcq.
After losing their home opener a week ago, the Steam rebounded nicely for a 4-0 win in Princeton on Sept. 8. Jared Breitkreuz made 32 saves to earn his first shutout, while Cairo Rogers, Linden Gove, Ty Banser and Cory Loring provided the goals.
DePourcq says the team kept the game simple.
“I think that is what we are going to work on this week is just understanding how we need to play, simplifying things,” says DePourcq. “Just doing every day work — drills and skills — that you need to work on in order to have success. A lot of battling drills and continually going over our systems and special teams.”
What DePourcq liked in Princeton was how they competed along the walls and sacrificed the body to make plays. He added it also means getting pucks in and out. Getting the puck in the offensive zone allows the Steam to get in on the forecheck. The team did a lot of the things the coaching staff has preached over the last two weeks.
Wilson says another area to focus on is keeping their shifts short. That will allow everyone to have fresh legs.
Wilson, who sat out the last game, said the team played well as a group. The win was huge and needed.
“Just to build confidence and get that first win of the season,” said Wilson.
The Rockets come into the match with a win and a loss. Rookie Jacob Dewar of Calgary leads the Rockets with four goals. Zach Salyn has the only other goal this season.