Spruce Kings looking to respond

“It’s a great experience. All the schools are there watching us,” said Mahoney.

While the results were disappointing, Mahoney believes the team can learn from the experience as it continues through the early stages of the season.

“It wasn’t our best showing,” he said.

“There’s a lot to learn and grow off of. Our play away right now, we’re not doing too well, and we know that. So we’re going to try and build off that coming into the next couple of weeks here.”

One area the Spruce Kings have identified for improvement is their play in the defensive zone. Through the opening weeks of the season, the team has shown plenty of offensive ability but has struggled at times to keep pucks out of its own net.

“Honestly, I think our defensive zone. We’re kind of giving up a lot of goals right now, and I think we need to improve on that,” said Mahoney.

“Offensively, we’re doing great. So yeah, I think more just the defensive zone.”

The team has also spent time this week working on its transition game. Mahoney said practice drills focused on improving puck movement through the neutral zone and reacting more quickly to loose pucks.

“The transition game needs to be a bit quicker,” he said.

“We did a couple drills focusing on transition and our neutral-zone play, jumping on pucks quicker. So I think that’s going to help us this weekend as a group.”

Associate coach Brad Tobin said the showcase, despite the losses, remains an important event for player development and recruitment.

“It’s a big event that the league puts on,” said Tobin.

“A lot of scouts are there from all sorts of schools, and some professional scouts as well from the NHL. It’s an opportunity for these guys to be seen live.”

As the season moves forward, Tobin says consistency will be key.

“Consistency in our game, I think that’s the big thing,” he said.

“When things don’t go our way, we need to find a way to push forward, especially from the leadership group and the 20-year-olds.”

Tobin also wants to see his team create more dangerous scoring chances.

“We need to get more pucks on net, especially from the slot area,” he said.

“A lot of our opportunities have come from the perimeter, so we need that tough mentality to get to those dirty areas and get those secondary scoring opportunities.”

The Spruce Kings will look to put those adjustments into action this weekend as they continue their road swing through Surrey and Langley.

by Stephen Lewyta

Spruce Kings looking to respond

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