B6 THE FREE PRESS SPORTS OCTOBER 8, 2000 In search of consistency YFrom Page B5 Tone for road trip set by next games have two very big games coming up. We have to do anything we can to win. It’s going to be a big desperation time for us,” says team captain Justin Cox. “These two games are going to be huge, no doubt about it. Going into a long roadtrip on a losing swing isn’t easy. These two games at home will almost define how we’ll do on the entire roadtrip.” The Cats blueline was touted in the preseason as the team’s strongest position, filled-out with returning vets like Christian Chartier, Tim Wedderburn and Dan Hamhuis. Originally it was thought goal-scoring would be the team’s softest spot this season while defensive strength was all but certain. But so far that strength hasn’t materialized yet, says coach Ed Dempsey. “We thought going into the season goaltending and defence would be key areas for us and both of these areas need to pick up if we’re going to start winning games. “In this league you always find a way to score goals and I think we’ve done a good job of that considering the lack of veteran forwards and a proven sniper on the team.” It isn’t the dedication or energy of the team that needs tweaking, says Dempsey, it’s the mental aspects of the game. Bad positioning has put players where they’re unable to defend effectively and bad judgement has put players in the penalty box on calls that should have been avoided. As for the man in the crease, the Cougars have brought in 19-year-old Duane Perillat from the Prince Albert Raiders as a new second goalie, a move that may put even more pressure on Thompson, but Dempsey still has confidence in the 18-year-old netminder. “He had a tough night. Him and I have talked about it. It’s not easy being 18 and thrust into the number one spot, especially considering everything around him getting into that position. That sort of thing is going to weigh on a guy a bit.” The Cougars play the west division’s 2-4 Regina Pats Sunday night at 7:30 p.m., followed by the east division’s current top team, the 2-1 Tri-City Americans Monday at 2 p.m. The cats hop the bus the very next day, to play the Swift Current Broncos Wednesday night, kicking off their eastern tour. A young team and rollercoaster play may keep Polars from provincials The PGSS senior girls volleyball team can’t fool their coach, Eddie Dent. He knows his squad can play, after all they beat Fort St. John, the team that kept them from going to provincials last year, in two straight sets in the recent Grande Prairie tournament. Dent knows his Polars can play, now it’s just a matter of getting them to do it on a regular basis. “Fort St. John was a powerhouse team last year and they look to be a powerhouse team this year and we beat them two straight,” says Dent. “That shows what good volleyball we can play. But then we get into a semifinal against a team we should beat and we don’t. The girls can play some great volleyball and they can play some horrible volleyball.” Despite being able to down their arch-rivals in the new quadruple ‘A’ division, the Polars came away from Grande Prairie with a sixth-place finish. At the recent DP Todd tournament they finished fifth with a 2-2 record. The problem facing the Polars now, says Dent, is one of motivation. Although there’s six players on the court at a time, it sometimes seems like there’s only one or two making an effort. The Polars inconsistent play may be due in part to the relative youth of the team. Only two are in Grade 12, the bulk of the squad made up of Grade ll’s and two Grade 10’s who are playing senior volleyball for the first time. “We’re lacking in experience right now. We’re trying to get them as many games as possible, but it’s tough when you have to do all your learning in a game situation,” says Dent. “We’ve set small goals for ourselves and kept them realistic. But after three tournaments we’re ready to set higher goals.” Despite being shifted up into the newly-created quadruple ‘A’ bracket this season, PGSS still has to contend with the same local rivals in Fort St. John and Kelly Road. The Polars will be trying to put the freeze on the competition this weekend at tournament play in Kelowna, along with their fellow AAAA team the Kelly Road Secondary Roadrunners. The weekend after the Polars play host to local teams from all brackets for the PGSS Invitational, October 13 and 14. Karien Lanenga, one of the Polars top players, led the team to a sixth place finish at the DP Todd tournament last weekend. John mckenzie/free press Prince George Youth Babe Ruth Baseball ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Tues. October 10, 7:00 PM 1-306 Lecture Theatre CNC Everyone please attend Babe Ruth is now inviting applications for Managers of the 2001 All-Star Teams. Please submit by Oct. 10 to #38, 1306 7th Ave. Prince George, B.C. V2L3P1 or bring to the AGM * - ■ - Prince George Youth Babe Ruth would like to thank their 2000 League and All-Star Sponsors, without YOU, there would be no us! Kentucky Fried Chicken Timbers Community Church Central Interior Catering & Consulting Ltd, Ritchie Bothers Auctioneers Centre City Petroleums Ltd. Northland Plymouth Chrysler Porter & MicMillan Insurance Essinger Motors Chan Foucher Lefebvre Accounting Hart Drugs Royal Canadian Legion The Prince George Citizen a YRB Parts on the Hart BBK Bottle Depot Joe Martin & Sons Custom Stitch IWA Canada Overwaltea Foods The Prince George Free Press A Special Thanks lo the 15 Yr Old Provincial Tournament Committee, all their sponsors and volunteers for a job well doneI Nissan’s Come In for A Spin sales event 2001 PATHFINDER LE 250h.p. Absolutely loaded V-'l Starting at $44,700 2001 Altima Special Edition Auto. Loaded $24,515 01 XTERRA - SUV of the YEAR latic $32,600 5-Speed $31 ,400 Southgate Nissan 960-1101 • Hwy. 91 South DRIVEN. Out of town call 1-888-563-1103 • DL #10410 DRIVEN.