Wolves narrow 4-3 loss an entertaining game

Coach Phil Leboudec’s U15 Wolves hockey team has a record of 2-5-and-1 after last weekend’s narrow 4-3 loss to the Stoney Creek Warriors. But according to the longtime NOTL coach and owner of Your Independent Grocer on Niagara Stone Road, the record doesn’t tell the whole story. 

“From a coaching standpoint, we take a bottom-up approach,” he says. “Every practice, every drill is designed based on the skill level on the ice. It’s all about development. I told them right from day one, no one comes into the dressing room angry. I will never be mad at you for losing a game, but I might be disappointed if you’re not trying.” 

“The goal is to have fun,” he continues. “Yeah, you want to win the game, there’s still that competitiveness, but in this local league it’s all about development and having fun.”

The Niagara District Local League (NDLL) is a loop that takes the two NOTL U15 teams, composed of kids aged 13 and 14, across Niagara. They play a 24-game schedule against 13 teams from Fort Erie, Pelham, Port Colborne, Thorold, Stoney Creek, Welland and Wainfleet. 

“We’re struggling a bit to win,” he tells The Local, “but the schedule has put us up against some pretty tough teams at the beginning. All the games are very competitive, very close. As the season goes on and the kids get better I think we’ll get there.”

Last Saturday the team held its own against a tough Stoney Creek Warriors team in a very entertaining game. They played a spirited game, clawing back into contention for a tie with a goal in the third period. Leboudec pulled their goalie for one last frenzied attempt, but they couldn’t put one past the Stony Creek netminder. 

“They’re a tough team, they’re in second place, and that was a great hockey game,” he laughs. “When we went back to the dressing room I didn’t even say anything to them. I just fist-bumped every kid and walked out.”

Leboudec is joined behind the bench by Jeff Dyck, Dave Coleman, Sean Quinn, and Gord Neufeld for the team that is, ironically, wearing jerseys with the Harvest Barn name on them. 

“Ain’t that something,” Leboudec jokes. “When I played in my own bantam year, I played for the Harvest Barn team myself. Those jerseys haven’t changed much over the years, by the way.”

In previous years Leboudec shared coaching duties with James Cadeau. This year, Cadeau is coaching a “rival” U15 team that coincidentally has an identical 2-5-and-1record.

“We were able to balance the teams fairly evenly,” Leboudec says. “We played a pre-season exhibition game and we tied 6-6. I don’t think you can balance teams better than that.”

Those two teams will meet for the first time in the NDLL on Dec. 19 at the Meridian Credit Union Arena. 

The NOTL Local would like to feature other NOTL minor hockey teams in future editions of the newspaper. If parents or coaches would like to submit game reports and photos, please contact Mike Balsom at [email protected] or 905-348-6405.