Now that the Christmas break is over, the staff and players of the Predators Junior B team want to wish all their supporters a Happy New Year! The two weeks off from the regular schedule has allowed the team lots of practice time to work towards strengthening their game.

The players and coaching staff remain optimistic they can still make the playoffs this season. They have 17 games remaining in the final stretch and two games in hand over Leamington. The two games in hand and the two games they have to play against Leamington will be vital in their quest to close the 8 point gap that exists between them.

Coach Dan Mudge feels if his team can get off to a good start in this stretch they will have a good run at it. The team morale remains high and the players are happy to be with the Predators despite their place in the standings. They are poised and ready to make that run. It starts this Wednesday when the team travels to LaSalle to take on the Vipers. Then, because of the International Silver Stick Finals in Forest on the weekend, the Predators will host the London Nationals on Thursday January 7^th. The puck drops at 8:15 PM at The Shores Recreation Centre.

The team owners and coaching staff have difficult challenges facing them. January 10^th is the Junior Hockey Team Cut-Down Date. All team rosters must be trimmed from 25 to 22 players by that date. One of the difficulties the team has to face in assembling a competitive roster is their zoning situation. The Predator draw continues to be Lambton and Kent counties. The team is allowed 7 import cards for any players from outside that zone. They lost their appeal to the OHA to have their zone changed but will continue to petition for what they feel would be PROPER zoning for their team. Over the past few seasons the teams imports have come from the London area and they are therefore hoping to have their zones changed to Lambton and Middlesex counties. Middlesex also being closer to Forest and more convenient for residents than those from Kent county. The present situation is a large factor in the difficulty of getting Junior B caliber players to play in Forest.

The organization established at the beginning of the season that this would be a year for rebuilding. Their roster reflects a strong base of 17 year old players. That base and the 2 local 16 year old players along with the older players coming back gives the club owners hope they will have a strong group next season. The team ownership recognizes the difficulties the local followers and team supporters have regarding the prospects of two losing seasons (based on win/loss record). However it takes 2 – 4 years to build a strong Junior program. They are encouraged that since the teams big home win against LaSalle, they have been playing very exciting hockey. Most of their games have been close and they were really only out of a few games since then. Their young players are are learning and gaining experience which is invaluable in their development. They are grateful for your support and hope that in the not too distant future we will all be rewarded with success.

Lambton Shores schedule