Junior Canadians finally rewarded
The Welland Junior Canadians finally tasted success this week.
The Junior Canadians picked up their first win in almost three months when they topped the Buffalo Regals 4-3 Sunday, their first victory since a Nov. 9 win over the Fort Erie Meteors.
For a team that has struggled mightily since Day 1, the victory was long overdue.
“They deserved it,” Welland coach Chris Lukey said. “That was kind of my pre-game speech. We’ve played in a lot of close games in the last four or five, with the exception of Caledonia. We’ve been hanging around and working hard so I’m proud of the guys for finally pulling one off.”
Lukey said the response to the win, after so many losses over such an extended period, was predictable.
“It was like winning the (Stanley) Cup, absolutely. They were pretty excited. They worked hard to get the win.”
Lukey said the Junior Canadians have been a different team since the trade deadline that saw captain Matt Baumann and Joshua McVeigh dealt to Hamilton and forward Dario Tesero end up in Niagara Falls.
“We really have a whole new group of kids and I really wish we could have started the season the way we’re ending it with this group,” Lukey said. “The new group of players we have, I really like them. They’re a good group of hard-working players.”
Lukey singled out newcomers Noah Yeardon and Jordan Guigui, picked up from Pelham for Philippe Agervill, and midget Dawson Abrahams for their contributions since joining the club.
“They have exceptionally great attitudes. They come to the rink and ask how they can be better and that’s all you can ask for,” Lukey said. “We’ve got some good players with great attitudes and then there was more ice time for the players who weren’t getting the ice time at the beginning and they responded well.”
The Junior Canadians being up the rear of the standings with a record to 5-34-3-1. They are last in goals scored and worst in preventing goals.
Nevertheless, Lukey said he still enjoys coming to the rink every day.
“The big thing for us was we knew coming into this season what we were up against and what we had. A lot of people early asked if it was a rebuild or starting from scratch. I tried to spin it as a rebuild and I wanted to expedite the process a little quicker but it really was a start from scratch.
“Once you play every team once and you get 20 games in you really get a feeling for what we have and what we are. I’m not going to come to the rink everyday and beat the kids up for it.”
Lukey said through all the struggles, he and his staff have attempted to focus on development and teaching.
“We tried to keep things light and tried to make it fun,” he said. “Right from Day 1, I wanted the kids to enjoy coming to the rink. We tried to be as competitive as we could be, but we also knew where we stood and I think everybody else knew where we stood so there was no reason to hit the panic button and get too upset.
“The easiest thing in the world is to coach and highly skilled and highly talented team. You really challenge yourself as a coach when you don’t have the skill and the talent. You do have to change some of your philosophies and your style. You need a lot of patience, that’s for sure, and a lot of repetition and teaching.”
Junior B jottings: The Hamilton Kilty B’s are on a roll with five straight wins, including a 5-3 win over the Caledonia Corviars Monday. The Kilty B’s are only three points behind the Niagara Falls Canucks and St. Catharines Falcons, who are tied for second place, with six games remaining in the schedule. Matt Baumann, Andrew Lukezic, Nolan Underwood, Ellis Rickwood and Jacob McEachern scored for Hamilton. Anthony Aguanno, Cole Tymkin and Danyk Drouin replied for Caledonia, which have clinched first place overall.
SUPPORT US
On the right side of our web site, as well as on the top of the stories, you will notice a yellow SUPPORT US button.
We are asking anyone who finds value in our work and is able to financially help us to click on the button and contribute whatever amount you feel is appropriate and can afford. There is no set amount. Any amount is appreciated.
The funds collected will be used to enhance and offset the expenses of running the web site.
