On the surface, it is hard to look at a lopsided loss as a positive development.
However, Brandon varsity hockey coach Tim Stone said the Blackhawks? Nov. 23 game against Davison can be used to make them more battle-tested later in the season and during the playoffs.
The Cardinals, in their opening game of the 2005-06 season, dominated the Blackhawks 8-0 in a nonleague game that day at the Perani Arena in Flint (formerly the Flint IMA Arena). The Blackhawks fell to 1-1 on the season.
Ryan Welch, Kyle VanWormer and Johnathan Carrier scored two goals each for the Cardinals, while Garrett Hilgendorf added three assists.
Stone said the Blackhawks were not used to the speed with which the Cardinals play on a regular basis.
‘Their kids are used to playing at a higher pace,? he said. ‘Our kids can skate well ? the difference is playing at that level. We’d have the puck on the stick and immediately, they’d have one or two kids on us.?
Despite the game’s outcome, Stone said the Blackhawks will benefit from the experience.
‘Those games are good for us to play,? he said. ‘Our kids need to learn to play at that pace. Obviously, it’s no fun getting beat 8-0. It’s just a matter of doing the things you need to do better.?
Stone credited Brandon athletic director Larry Lamphere with upgrading the Blackhawks? nonleague schedule this season.
‘You can get into a comfort zone and play teams at your level or in your league,? he said. ‘If you want to go farther and make some noise in the state playoffs, you need to play teams like this.?
The Blackhawks were slated to open their league schedule Wednesday, Nov. 30, when they host Fenton at the Polar Palace. The game occurred after this edition of The Citizen went to press.
Brandon’s next scheduled game is at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7 when they travel to Ice Mountain Sports Complex in Burton to take on Flint Kearsley.