By Greg Sakaki
After some off-ice problems, the Lisgar girls hockey team is finally skating. The team played its first game at McNabb Arena, losing 9-0 to Gloucester, on Nov. 23. They fared a little better in their second game against Garneau, losing 6-0, Nov. 28.
As profiled in the Oct. 13 issue of Centretown News, Lisgar student Louise Daoust took it upon herself to organize the team, find a coach and get the team registered with the league.
Because of the repercussions from Bill 74, Lisgar teachers are not involved with the team. Daoust had to wait for final approval to set up the squad, which she got at the end of October.
Daoust says the team can survive each year with students organizing the team, “as long as the students care enough to keep at it. We’re going to do a lot for this team. It’s more like a club; we’ll fund-raise and we’ve ordered jerseys.”
The team is still looking for a company to sponsor their sweaters. They have been playing in simple white jerseys and mismatched socks.
Lisgar played most of the season opener in its own end and managed just seven shots on the opposing net, but Daoust, who plays defence, says the team can take some positives out of the first game.
“There’s a lot that we noticed we can improve on, so now we know what to work on in practice,” she says. “Through many practices we’ll eventually work our way up.”
Daoust was able to convince her former ringette coach, Mark Wight, to volunteer as coach for the team.
Wight says he wasn’t disappointed by the team’s loss.
“There’s lots of potential, lots of room for individual skills to improve. It’s a new team and they’ve got a lot to learn,” he says.
Wight says Gloucester is clearly a strong team in the tier, and says his goal would be for Lisgar to play at that level by the end of the season.
Grade 9 student Moira O’Leary, who plays both forward and defence for Lisgar, says she believes the team is beginning to jell.
“I think the girls are doing a good job right now giving each other tips,” O’Leary says. “Some of the more-experienced girls are helping out the not-so-experienced girls. We’re definitely working together.”
The team works together at practice twice a week at the McNabb Arena on Percy Street and Brian Kilrea Arena on Arch Street, depending on where and when the board of education allows them ice time.
Wight agrees with Daoust that the team could continue to function without help from teachers.
“Somebody like Louise (a Grade 10 student) is going to be there until Grade 12, and she’ll pick up a few more people each year,” says Wight. “So they can probably sustain the momentum of the team.”
Though the scores have been lopsided, Daoust remains upbeat and says she is just happy the girls are finally getting the opportunity to play.
“It’s great to win, but hockey’s the most important thing,” she says. “Eventually we’ll have a strong team.”