The Canadiens lost 8 – 1 in its first meeting against the Cold Lake Ice during the regular season last Sunday afternoon, following a 7-1 loss to the Vegreville Rangers in an away game on Friday night.
The Canadiens’ single and only goal on Sunday came from Dustin Ouellette five minutes into the third period, at which point the Canadiens were behind by six goals.
The Cold Lake Ice, currently undefeated and leading the Northeast Alberta Junior B Hockey League (NEAJBHL), scored two goals in the first period, and four goals in the second period, of which two were short-handed goals.
“We’re a young team,” said Canadiens head coach Aaron Block, adding that the team had a lapse in the second period. “For the most part, in the first and third period, we actually kept to our game plan.”
Block went on to explain that the Canadiens team lost some of its momentum and energy in the second period. “That’s where we need to get back on the plan, and play as a 20-man unit as opposed to a five or six man unit.”
In terms of improvement, Block said the Canadiens’ power play and penalty-kills need improvement. “We’re young in the backend, (but) we just have to be patient with our defense,” said Block, adding, “And James is more than capable of developing those guys.”
James Couch is the newest member of the Canadiens’ coaching staff, and was brought in to work with the Canadiens’ rookie defense this season.
“Our team’s defense is very young right now,” explained Couch, adding, “They have to learn to relax with the puck, and make better decisions quicker.
“The team doesn’t have a lot of veteran players in the backend who can really control the game,” added Couch. “We’ll work with these young guys, and it will take a little while and a bit of the season, but we’ll be OK.”
The Canadiens will face off against the Vermilion Tigers next Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at home, while the Saddle Lake Warriors will go against the Lloydminster Bandits at home on Sunday at 6 p.m.
