Lancers having a stellar season in WHSHL

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This article was published 07/11/2016 (3473 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Dakota Lancers are having a standout season so far in the Winnipeg High School Hockey League.

The boys currently sit atop the nine-team Platinum Promotions division. As of Nov. 3, the team had won seven of its eight regular season games, scoring 28 and conceding 13. Its only defeat was a 2-1 loss against close rivals St. Paul’s 1 on Nov. 2.

Head coach Ray Agostino said the team’s consistent success this season is due to a combination of factors, not least the fact that this year’s team is a combination of 10 returning veteran players and 10 new ones. He said the team’s stellar goaltending and defensive displays are another reason for its progress.

“Things have been going well so far,” said Agostino, who is also a physical education specialist at the St. Vital-based school. “We’ve got 10 Grade 12 players this year, so the team’s a little bit older, and the younger kids are maturing well.”

Agostino said the rivalry with St. Paul’s stretches beyond bragging rights, because he feels it’s the team in the division that sets the bar and helps him register the progress of the Lancers. He believes his current group of players is capable of pushing their south Winnipeg rivals all the way this season.

“I certainly think we can contend with St. Paul’s and based on our progress so far I see us in the provincials this season as a final-four team,” Agostino said, noting that the team will compete in a tournament in Anaheim, Calif., at the end of November.

“Any tournament outside of the school is a great experience for the team, as it’s a chance to bring the team together in a different environment and a chance to see the players in a different setting outside their comfort zone. It’s a bonding thing. Plus, it will be nice to be somewhere with nice weather.”

Another reason for the team’s success has been the performance of Grade 11 student and centre Kyle Lang, who was named the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association’s Tire Recycle urban athlete of the week on Nov. 1 and the Dakota Collegiate athlete of the month for October.

As of Nov. 2, Lang had registered 17 points, including 10 goals, and was leading the league in points.

“Kyle is a gifted hockey player that leads by example and he plays hard at both ends of the rink. It’s good to have such a great player in a year for our school when our team is so strong. Right now, it’s the perfect storm because we have a balanced team,” Agostino said.

For more information about the team and the league visit whshl.com

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com

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