By Megan Hess
Review Staff Writer
The Lake Orion varsity hockey team hustled to keep up over the weekend at the Metro High School Invitational in Novi.
The team suffered a 6-2 loss Friday night to the Livonia Stevenson Spartans, and a 4-2 loss on Saturday to the Northville Mustangs.
But that’s not what fans can expect for the coming season.
‘These are the two toughest teams we’ll see all year,? said Dragons? Head Coach Pat Cherry. ‘This was a wake-up call. We haven’t seen this level of competition before.?
The coaches are optimistic about the make up of the team this year. ‘Look for us to be one of the most improved teams by the end of the season,? Cherry said. This year’s team has a very good work ethic, and fans can look forward to some exciting games.
This season the team plans to work on their consistency.
‘We lack consistency with everyone playing well on the same day,? Cherry said. But he expects by the end of the season the team will be able to play together on a higher skill level.
‘We expect the team to compete with ‘Disciplined Intensity? each game. Having 14 seniors, they understand that they control the teams destiny. Our biggest strengths are team chemistry, size and goaltending.?
Cherry also stresses that what the players learn is more than just hockey. This year they are incorporating things like team-building events, sports psychology seminars and team dinners into their schedule.
He says for a team to stay on top ‘not only do you need skill, they have to be good people, and have team chemistry and leadership.?
This weekend they’ll play in the Thanksgiving Showcase and hope to do well considering they have so many key players returning after last year.
Fans should watch the ice for #22 and #38 who both played well in the Metro Invitational. Adam Chapie, #22, showed off his fancy footwork and stick-handling skills before scoring unassisted the Dragons? second goal of the game on Saturday against Northville. Chapie is a senior this year and was selected for the All Tournament Team, netting three goals over the weekend.
And Jason Stross, #38, is also a senior and impressed coaches from several teams with his skill over the weekend. He faced 31 shots on goal and let in only two in Saturday’s game.
The team shut out Farmington Hills United 2-0 in their season opener on Nov. 19.