Action in the NEAJBHL begins Friday night for local team Lloydminster Junior B Bandits as they host the Cold Lake Ice from 7:30 p.m. at the Civic Centre.
Head Coach Jason Ross looks ahead to the season.
“We think we have a competitive team and can challenge throughout the league and put up some wins this year and hopefully make a playoff run.”
Ross notes the disappointment with last year’s shortened COVID season saying his team was fortunate to get in four games. He assesses Friday night’s home opener.
“We have had some good battles with Cold Lake over the last couple of seasons. [We are] usually fairly well matched [with] a similar place in the standings, as well each year. It should be a good game, usually a little physical. Should be some skill and some goals scored.”
Ross admits that they have lost some developmental hockey time with the COVID interruption, but they have a good team going in to the season.
“We have a good bunch of guys. We definitely got some added skill to our team this year. We lost a few vets, that we did not expect, that have moved on to other aspects of life. All in all, we feel we’ve got a competitive team.
The Bandits play next against the Wainwright Bisons this Friday, October 8th.