Athletics get back on track
The St. Catharines WMKL Athletics responded to some tough love from head coach Steve Toll and general manager Jeff Chcoski.
Toll and Chcoski both made pointed remarks last week following a loss to the Whitby Warriors which left the A’s with a 1-9 record at the halfway point of the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League season.
Toll called out goaltenders Tye Wilson and Oliver Vanyo, as well as captain Keaton Zavitz and assistant captain Tye Steenhuis to play better while Chcoski made it clear changes would be made if things didn’t improve.
The A’s reacted with a 7-6 victory over Six Nations Saturday and followed it up with a 7-5 win Monday night over the Oakville Buzz at Canada Games Park.
Toll was proud how the team took his message to heart.
“They did man up,” Toll said. “All four of the guys know. When I coach you I love you and I’ll go to the wall for you all day, every day and I want you to be the best player and best teammate you can be. I didn’t feel like they were and now they’re lights out. They know what they can do and I wouldn’t trade those four guys for a million guys anyway. They’re fine.”
Toll said he had a meeting where he explained his reasoning for going public with his displeasure.
“I tried everything else, I tried something different. I called out you guys,” Toll said. “It’s working now. The team was pissed but you should be mad. I had to call out your two goalies and your captain. You should be mad at yourselves because you’re not helping them out.
“The boys stick up for each other and that’s what I like.”
Toll feels accountability is the key.
“I hold every kid on the team accountable for their actions and the last two games we’ve been outstanding,” the said. “The guys know. Look at the last two games, our goaltending had been out of this world outstanding. They are two great goalies and we played some tough teams early and they scored some goals, so be it.
“Obviously, we’d like to get a few more goals but the defence is bailing us out and we’re scoring timely goals and everyone’s chipping in. You can see it in the dressing room. It’s believing in each other and trusting each other to get it done. Even the vibe in the dressing room is 100 per cent different.”
Zavitz, who collected four assists Monday and leads the team in scoring with 27 points in 12 games, had no problem with what was said.
“I think the best part of them calling us out is they care about us and want to push us,” Zavitz said. “That’s not the standard we should be playing at. We’re a winning franchise and we should be winning those one-goal games and we weren’t.
“We needed a little push and maybe that sparked a little fire under a couple of guys, not just with getting goals, but being a better and closer and tighter team. We’re ready to put on a little run here. The first half of the season didn’t go our way but the second half is something we’re going to take care of.”
Zavitz feels the adversity may be a blessing in disguise.
“It was definitely very hard for the whole team and for the organization. A lot of people expect us to win and we weren’t doing that. We learned how to lose and now we’re learning how to win and we’re doing it together,” he said. “We got one and now we got another and now we’re just focused on Peterborough Wednesday.”
The A’s, 3-9, can move into a playoff spot with a win over the Lakers (4-8).
STATS PACK
A’s 7 Buzz 5
WMKL Player of the Game: A’s captain Keaton Zavitz with four assists.
St. Catharines Athletics: Carson Robins 2; Colin French 2; Zackary Toll, Christian Lefeuvre, Tye Steenhuis.
Oakville Buzz: Brian Jackman 2; Xander Derkatz, Will Sheehan, Eric McDonald.
Up next: The A’s host Peterborough Wednesday at 8 p.m.
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