The first game of the season for the Lacoka bantam female hockey team Saturday, Oct. 17 proved fruitful with an overwhelming win.
Lacoka now plays in the Rocky Mountain Female Hockey League and this was their first time playing against Edson, said coach Tim Falkiner. They won a solid 15-2 against Edson more than 30 per cent of the attempted shots finding their mark.
The team seemed able to counter most attempts on goal leaving the Lacoka goalie with little to do but watch the game unfold in front of her.
“We’ve got a group of second year players that are leaders on the team,” said Falkiner.
There are several first year players new to the team who are developing their overall skills; Falkiner says, however, they are stepping up to the plate and performing well. His goal is to get the team working to ensure puck control stays in Lacoka hands.
“What we want them to do this year is put pressure on the opposing players on the puck,” said Falkiner.
The biggest challenge he saw during their game against Edson is opportunities with the back check. Some of the newer players are also learning important positioning during a game.
There are seven second year players who are helping lead the team, as well as three players who came over from Maskwacis as their team unfolded, said Falkiner. These extra players provided the team with a second goalie.
Although this is just the start of the season, Falkiner feels the teams to watch out for this year will be Warburg, who have strong goal tending, Sylvan Lake and Stettler, who defeated Lacoka during the 2015 provincials in Lacombe but ended up losing to Lacoka in the league finals.