Intermediate A, 2012-2013, Rep (Waterloo Ravens Girls Minor Hockey Association )

Sunday Oct 21 at the WRC, we hosted Hamilton in a game that was closer than the score indicated. Waterloo ran into penalty problems early in the game which allowed Hamilton to pressure an understaffed Waterloo team. Hamilton displayed a strong 3 player forecheck and flooded the strong side, making it difficult to create effective breakouts. We played a much better game in the second period and went to the break tied 1-1.  In the third, penalties continued to hurt Waterloo and allowed Hamilton to take the game to us. Better Defensive zone positioning, staying with our checks, minimizing our penalties and generating a quicker transition game will help us compete more effectiively against the elite teams of our league.

A character building win girls!! Our effort against Brantford was a definite improvement over our season opener! Since we now have our first two league games in the books,  we should expect our division in the LLFHL  to be highly competitive!
In the first period, we were playing with more speed and determination! Execution and play selection are still aspects of our game we need to work on, however with the work ethic everyone displayed, that will improve as we get to know each other.
We also came back from a deficit to win this game!!! That kind of gutsy effort from every player shows what kind of team we have this season. Let's build on this team win and keep the momentum going for our next game!!
Great work from everyone!
  

We played our Season Opener against Kitchener, ending in a 3-2 loss. We started off with a reasonably solid effort, and were rewarded with the opening goal of the game. Our forwards struggled against the aggressive forecheck Kitchener was able to establish and their Power Play and they eventually took a 3-1 lead going into the final period. After some intermission changes, the Ravens put on a better effort in the third period. We had  more focused  forwards playing a strong forecheck, and frequently had Kitchener hemmed into their own zone. The Ravens also moved the puck better coming out of our zone, and gained the Kitchener zone with speed.
Overall, we need a more determined team from the outset of our next game with Brantford on Sunday, with 3 full periods of play!

Final Team selections have now been made and we are now preparing for the start of our season, Oct 13, 2012!
Practices are upbeat and fast! We will be continuing to bring new drills, systems and skill development to the team! Our initial Team meeting was held recently and a powerpoint was presented outlining our team goals, objectives, and operating guidelines. Our annual budget was also presented and we are now waiting for player/parent approval.
Happy Thanksgiving to all our players, their families and friends, from the staff of the Waterloo Intermediate A Hockey Team!