The Summerland Steam have to play their game to have success.
“Players need to play their game, no matter who we’re playing against.”
That’s the message head coach John DePourcq gave his players following a disappointing 3-2 loss to the North Okanagan Knights on Jan. 19.
“They have proved they can compete and have success agains the top teams like Kelowna and Revelstoke, but then don’t bring that same attitude against teams that are lower than us in the standings,” said DePourcq.
This weekend the Steam host the Osoyoos Coyotes (14-21-2-0-1) and Princeton Posse (12-23-1-0-3) at the Summerland Arena, 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, respectively in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League play. What were the learning lessons for the group according to DePourcq?
“We just didn’t do the little things that you need to do to have success,” he said. “We made the game very difficult on ourselves. When you do that, I don’t care who you are playing, and what place they are in, they are going to give you a tough game and beat you most nights.”
DePourcq added everyone is fighting hard for a playoff spot and they need to make sure they are ready to go every time they go out on the ice.
The Steam will be focusing on their work ethic and discipline this week. DePourcq wants to see his players push themselves every night, every shift.
“It’s an effort we are going to have to bring forward and have a good game plan. There is two teams in our division that we are going to play this coming weekend, we could see either one of them in the first round. You got to be ready to go,” he said.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 students/seniors $25 for a family of four.
