The losses are beginning to mount but the Port Moody Panthers see a second-half surge as the key to unlocking the door to the post-season.
The first half of the year has been a struggle for the Panthers who dropped a pair of weekend games, 6-1 to the North Vancouver Wolf Pack and 5-0 with the Ridge Meadows Flames. Sammy Zeinab had the lone Panthers marker on the weekend.
"Definitely we've had problems scoring," said Jamie Jackson, the Panthers head coach and GM.
Port Moody entered the weekend riding a modest three-game unbeaten streak.
"I felt that we played three pretty solid games and I think we took our foot off the gas pedal," said Jackson, who expected some growing pains with the Pacific Junior Hockey League's youngest roster.
"They definitely have to learn that we're a young team and we don't have the ability to win games at 80% and I think they learned that."
The Panthers faced the Richmond Sockeyes Thursday night and will host the Aldergrove Kodiaks Saturday at 7:45 p.m. in the Port Moody rec complex. The Panthers play twice more next week before going on a two-week break into the new year.
Jackson said the break will bring a needed rest for the midget-aged players who aren't used to the grind of four practices a week and a 44-game schedule.
"I'm looking forward to taking a break and letting them recharge their batteries," he said. "If we can come back after the break with some energy and some focus I think we can go on a run."
And despite just six wins over the first 28 games of the season, the Panthers currently sit just one point behind the Mission City Outlaws for the fourth and final playoff position.
"January schedule is very favorable for us. If we want to make the playoffs we have to do well in January. It's set up for us," said Jackson.
