KENSINGTON – There are no excuses for the Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild, says head coach Kyle Dunn.
The Wild will host the Fredericton Caps in their lone game of the weekend in the New Brunswick/P.E.I. Major Midget Hockey League on Saturday. Puck drop at Community Gardens is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
“I like the character in our dressing room right now,” said Dunn. “We have one game this weekend, and there should be no excuses for us not to give a good, honest effort.”
The Wild, which defeated the Caps 9-4 in the New Brunswick capital on Sept. 24, enters weekend play in first place at 4-2-0 (won-lost-overtime losses). Fredericton is 2-2-0.
“This is going to be a totally different Fredericton team we are going to see Saturday,” cautioned Dunn. “They are going to work hard, they are going to be in your face and our little rink is going to help them for sure.
“We have to be ready to go, and match their work ethic.”
Focus
Dunn said a big focus at practice this week was on being “ready to work” after splitting two games last weekend – a 5-1 loss in Saint John and a 4-1 win at over Moncton at the Gardens.
“We know we have good skill,” said Dunn. “Our team had a talk at practice Monday, and we just didn’t come to work on Friday night in Saint John, and we came to work Saturday against Moncton.
“The boys saw it, and when we work we are a pretty successful team.”
Another key against the Caps, added Dunn, will be discipline. He noted Fredericton scored three power-play goals in the previous meeting.
“We know what Fredericton is capable of,” said Dunn. “We have to stay disciplined and get our penalty killing going when we get the chance.”
Dunn said Caleb Coyle, who is coming off a 52-save effort against Saint John, will get the start in goal for the Wild. Coyle, who is from Summerside, is 1-2 with a 3.67 goals-against average and .917 save percentage in three regular-season games.
Dunn noted the Wild has been hit with the injury bug as Isaac Callaghan and Chandler Wood continue to be sidelined, and Landon Clow is listed as day to day.
“There will be lots of ice time, and we want everyone to get involved,” emphasized Dunn.
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