By Dhiren Mahiban /
With just three games remaining in the regular season schedule, the North Surrey Spartans have begun gearing their attention towards the playoff picture.
According to Head Coach Scott Smith, the Spartans are currently in an ideal position in the standings at fifth place with a 5-4 record after nine games. In a perfect world, Smith’s squad would finish either fifth or sixth, make the playoffs, and avoid playing the favoured Fraser Heights in the first round.
Despite not having as strong a team as last year’s squad, Smith feels this year’s group works well together.
“Our team isn’t as strong as it has been in the past, but we’re working well together,” Smith said. “What we need to improve on is working on systems.”
This year’s edition of the Spartans is younger than in year’s past, which Smith attributes to the talent pool the coaches had to chose from.
“We’re a younger developing team compared to the last two years,” Smith said. “We usually have about six to eight [Grade 12’s]. But this year, the Grade 11’s and 12’s are less [athletically inclined] in our whole school than we’ve had in the past. “
Led up front by Jamie Russel (Grade 10), Mark Mclellan (Grade 8) and Daniel Berman (Grade 12), the Spartans will look to finish up strong with matchups against LA Matheson, Tamanawis and Frank Hurt.
In league news, Surrey’s high school hockey league is looking to expand for next season; currently there are 15 schools participating in the league and according to Smith that number could jump to 17.
Both Semiahmoo and Holy Cross are looking to join and for the second consecutive year Clayton Heights will try and join the league, which could have 17 of its 19 schools in the district competing next season.
Additionally, with more league expansion the league will look to include tiering for next season. The league will be split into two pools with the competition being stiffer for the top teams and more even for the second pool. |