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Coach's Corner

Only 24 hours after the most important league win of the season, we didn’t show up to compete. Beating Brampton in Brampton is something to be proud of – they’re a good team and are certain to be among the best in our loop.

The next day we play a team we routed only two weeks ago and looked like a bunch of chumps. Bad decisions. Bad penalties. An absence of discipline. No fire in the belly. Let’s not waste our breath talking about the referees. Both teams played with one set of refs. Good teams quickly adapt to things like that. Good teams get smart and lay off the retaliation behind the play.

The coaches know this team is capable of far better. We are going to hold you to that standard – it is your standard.

This week’s message: “It’s Not Whether You Win or Lose, It’s Whether You Show Up.” 

IT’S NOT WHETHER YOU WIN OR LOSE, IT’S WHETHER YOU SHOW UP

As a veteran on a major junior team, I was used to seeing rookies come in a little intimidated.  Some are away from home for the first time. They are kids playing against guys with beards. It's not uncommon to see the new guys back down when challenged as veterans on other teams try to intimidate them. A rookie linemate of mine was showing these signs, so I talked to him. "Why Are you backing down from anybody that challenges you?" The kid only had one answer: "Well, what if I lose?" "Pal, " I responded, "It's not whether you win or lose, it's whether you show up." Every puck along the boards, every race to the corner is a challenge. Managing your hockey and your school work is a challenge. How do you respond? The lesson remains true today as I take on the challenges of starting businesses and making my way in the world. It's not whether I win or lose; it's whether or not I show up to meet my challenges.

-- Coach Bob