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Forest, ON – Having high expectations is nothing new
to any sports team. But for the Lambton Shores
Predators, having the expectation to make the
playoffs for the first time in team history is a
task new Head Coach Mark Davis is now in charge of,
as the Predators open their 2011-12 Jr. B hockey
season Saturday at home to the LaSalle Vipers.
"We had
two good practices this week and all the guys are
real excited," said Mark Davis. "I got the
butterflies already."
Last
season the Predators were 4-46-1, with their last
victory coming November 10th in an 8-4 win over the
Vipers. Two of Lambton Shores victories came against
the Vipers. In preseason action, the Predators went
1-1-1, with a win and tie against St. Mary's, and a
loss to London.
Davis who
coached last year in Wallaceburg for the Jr. C
Lakers, is not the only face from the Jr. C ranks to
find his new home on the Predators. Former Alvinston
Flyers goalie Brandon Campbell is use to large
quantities of shots coming his way, as the young
goalie makes his move up the Jr. ranks. His teammate
from last season Kyle Brothers will also join him.
Davis
points out players like Adam Arsenault as a leader
amongst the team, as well as Fedinando Collela, a
smaller player with lots of speed and heart. Ryan
Trottier who played for Lambton AAA last season will
also join the Predators.
"We have a
team who is going to work very hard and not give up
no matter what the score is."
Lambton
Shores has only reached double digits once in wins
since moving from Petrolia in the 2008/09 season.
And making the playoffs has never been in the sight
of the Predators as they were 41 points out of 8th
last season. With many of last years leading scorers
moving on, the new line up and new bench boss have a
lot to accomplish this season. But Davis has high
expectations for his group.
"Every
year your expectations are high. Ours is to make the
playoffs," said Davis. "That's our number one goal.
We got 22 guys in that dressing room that are going
to do their best to make sure we accomplish that.
Lambton
Shores had 14 players with 2 or more points in the
preseason. Puck drop is at 7:30pm on Saturday.
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