By / Darren Bayrack
The SAIT Trojans spent the weekend preparing for playoffs with all eyes on the Alberta Colleges Athletics Conference scoreboard to see which opponents await the men’s and women’s hockey teams.
The SAIT women learned early they will face the Mount Royal College Cougars after their cross-town rivals surprisingly ousted the Red Deer College Queens two games to none in opening-round playoff action.
The SAIT women enjoyed their hard-earned bye week by holding a light-hearted practice on their home ice Feb. 21 under the watchful eye of head coach Terry Larson.
“We are reinforcing everything that we worked so hard on all year long,” Larson said from the SAIT arena. “Making sure that they are ready. I think that is the biggest thing — that they don’t go in nervous. Coming in and playing our game is what got us to first place.”
The team had a strong season, capturing the conference crown with a 17-5 record and will be prohibitive favourites against Mount Royal, who finished at 5-16.
The Trojans were the highest scoring team in the regular season with 76 goals, however, clamping down defensively has become priority No. 1 as the post-season nears.
“The first half of the season, we were all offence,” said Larson. “We’d be up 4-0 and then we’d win 4-3. The second half of the season, after Christmas, our whole focus was on defence. We knew we could score goals. Our problem was keeping them out of our own end.”
Looking ahead, Larson said there is little hope of the Trojans capturing the ACAC championship without giving up fewer scoring chances, especially against clubs such as the U of C Dinos, who finished second but tied SAIT in points.
“A lot (of our preparation) is directed at the U of C because they are such a fantastic hockey team,” he said. “We knew we had to play good defence if we wanted a chance to beat them.”
Defenceman Annette Jensen is a veteran player who serves as an assistant captain on the Trojans and she has her sights set high this playoff season. “Unfortunately, we got fourth last year. We have got that taste in our mouth still, so we want to go all the way this year,” she said.
“I’m telling everyone to be positive and keep our heads up,” Jensen added. “Don’t get down even if we are down by a goal at any time. We have just got to keep positive and keep communicating on the ice, as well, because that’s key for us. We have to give everything that we have every single game.”
Forward Melanie Vincent stayed on the ice after most of her teammates headed to the showers after practice knowing that playoffs are a time to pay attention to details.
“I think we need to just keep working hard and play as a team. Do all the little things and keep it going,” she said. “I’m trying to have some fun, stay out on the ice feeling the puck and just getting ready to go.”
SAIT men’s team head coach Ken Babey worked his players in practice Sunday, Feb. 22, before heading home to log onto the web to await playoff results from the ACAC.
On the strength of a first-place finish, the male Trojans also enjoyed a week off to prepare for playoffs — valuable time considering the team finished the season uncharacteristically with two straight defeats.
“I think it has been good for us because we have had a couple of losses,” said Babey. “Sometimes you have to lose a game or two to learn how to win. Our guys seemed really focused today in practice and they are ready to go. They are getting a little antsy and miss playing.”
The 21-year veteran SAIT coach is also anxious to get the post-season underway, no matter the opponent.
“Whoever we play, we are just looking forward to the opportunity to play and take a shot at a championship,” Babey said. “I think we have got a very good team here, although the challenges are strong ahead of us because there are a couple of other good teams. We will just wait and see who is going to be there.” |