An intense work ethic and fierce competitiveness appear to be key characteristics of the Airdrie Xtreme AAA bantam hockey team this season, according to head coach Tyson Soloski, following the team’s opening weekend of regular-season fixtures.
“We definitely work hard,” said Soloski, who joined the Xtreme’s coaching staff this year. “If we do that consistently throughout the year, I think we’ll be very successful. Having that work ethic and competitiveness in every game is really good to see this early in the season.”
The Xtreme opened its 2019-20 regular season in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League Sept. 21 at the Ron Ebbesen Arena with a 2-0 loss to the Calgary Royals. The following day, the Airdrie squad earned a 2-2 draw with the Southeast Tigers.
While the visiting Royals kept Airdrie off the scoreboard in the first game, Soloski said there were still positives to take away.
“We got better in each period as the game went on,” he said. “I think the boys were a little bit nervous, especially for that first game, and it definitely showed. If a couple of bounces had gone a bit differently, we could have had a different score.”
Second-year bantam goalie Zachary Zahara backstopped the Xtreme and made 40 saves in the defeat.
“He probably kept it to 2-0, when we were a bit nervous and it could have easily been 4-0 or 5-0 after that first period,” Soloski said.
The next day, the team travelled to Medicine Hat to take on the Tigers. The game appeared to be heading in the same direction, as the Tigers jumped to a 2-0 lead with nine minutes left in the third frame.
But two late goals from Airdrie forward Evan Devost earned the Xtreme its first point of the year. The 2005-born forward – who is one of just four players on the Xtreme roster returning from last season, alongside Zahara, Jayden Gallant and Grady Hauk – scored a rebounder with eight minutes left, before sniping a breakaway tally with a minute left to sour the Tigers’ afternoon.
“Once again, a slow start, but we got better as the periods went on and we played really good in the second and third periods,” Soloski said. “It was nice to get rewarded.”
New goaltender Rhett Stoesser stood between the pipes against Medicine Hat, keeping out 25 shots.
Next up for the Xtreme is a road trip Sept. 28 and 29 for a pair of games against north division opposition – the Leduc Woodbend Oil Kings and the Lloydminster Bobcats.
“Right now, we’re just worried about our game,” Soloski said. “We’ll have a good week of practice here and work on a few things we need to work on.
“We’ll take care of what we can control. If we go in and play the way we can, we’ll be fine and come up with four points on the weekend.”
Airdrie will be back at Ron Ebbesen Arena Oct. 5 and 6 for home tilts with the Calgary Bisons and the Lethbridge Golden Hawks. For the team’s full schedule, visit bit.ly/2mWgvT1
