Feels pretty good. For the past 4 years I have been coaching 17 to 20 year olds. This year I was asked to take a Minor Bantam team, some of the boys are just turning 13. The team has fallen progressively lower in the standings for the past 3 season, my job is turn that around.

I have only had two practices with them really. I worked on a breakout in both and in the second I gave them an offensive zone play. I skated them pretty hard in both too. I also worked on their panic mode and settled that down with a safe emergency play option to use rather than just coughing it up into the middle. Also concentrated on lateral movement with the D.

Game one we were in it all the way, got the goalie out with 2 minutes left and we threatened but lost 4-2. Game two again we were in it all the way, got the goalie out with 1:50 to go and again we threatened but lost 3-1.

I wasn't upset with them because they were trying all the things we practiced. Tonight I gave them a barn burner pregame and let them know that only a win was going to be acceptable, I spoke to a few guys mano to mano, needed more physical presence.

Well they stepped up to plate tonight and we won 3-0. It was one of those games that everything was clicking and the lines were rolling, the game just flew by. If you ever played the game or coached you know what I mean, this one was never in doubt.  I was very proud of them. Practice tomorrow, game Saturday. looking for win #2!