BHS is experienced
But, coach says, so is every other team in conference
Brainerd Warrior girls' hockey coach Jim Ernster thought his team was opening the season Thursday at Richmond against River Lakes.
On Monday, Ernster obtained a copy of the Warriors' weekly activities calendar that indicated a game was scheduled at Bemidji. After a few phone calls, Ernster confirmed the Warriors were scheduled to open two days earlier than he had anticipated.
Bemidji defeated the Warriors 10-3 Tuesday. Ernster said the earlier opener may have been an obstacle from a mental standpoint but not from a systems standpoint.
"We saw enough from our scrimmages Friday and Saturday to think we would have come out and played a lot better than we did Tuesday," Ernster said.
"Adversity is one thing kids and coaches face each and every game," he added. "How you respond shows a lot about the depth of your team. We need to work on that if we want to improve and go forward because our conference is tough as nails, from top to bottom."
Five seniors, including captains Emily Lorenz, Melissa Hanson and Aani Rangen, and nine juniors return from a team that finished 10-13-2 after losing to Moorhead in the Section 8, Class 2A quarterfinals. The Warriors return experience at virtually every position, with Hanson, Rangen and Lorenz three-year starters.
"On paper, we look pretty good," Ernster said, "but at the same time we're also realistic from the standpoint everyone else in the conference looks good on paper.
"Everyone is going to be as deep as we are from an experience standpoint. Then it becomes the mental side of it. Mentally, we're going to hold them to a higher bar than any other group we've had since our staff has been together. We expect them to compete mentally, night in and night out."
Girls' hockey
Head coach: Jim Ernster, fourth season
2004-05 record:
5-7-1 in conference, 10-13-2 overall
Career record: 36-34-5 (.514)
Returning letterwinners
Seniors: Melissa Hanson (D), Emily Lorenz (D), Chelsea Oakley (F), Aani Rangen (F), Niki Gorvin (F), Alyssa Lewandowski (F), Chelsey Smith (F), Tara Moen (F), Val Benjamin (G)
Juniors: Carolyn Sneep (D), Alyssa Wiebusch (D), Robyn Wernberg (F), Kim Groen (F), Kayla Helmberger (G)
Assistant coaches: Stephanie Sustercich, Chuck Whalen, Tom Woog, Randy Thoennes (volunteer).
Senior Val Benjamin and junior Kayla Helmberger return in net. Benjamin played six games with an .897 save percentage and 2.67 goals-against average. Helmberger played in three games with an .807 save percent and 5.0 goals-against.
"We expect both to battle for playing time," Ernster said. "Through the first of January at least we will rotate them on a regular basis. When we close in on playoff time we hope one will jump up, seize the opportunity and carry us from there."
Hanson led the team in scoring with 10 goals and 21 total points and was a plus-11. Lorenz contributed 4 goals and 7 points.
"We're looking to Melissa and Emily to lead our relatively young defensive corps," Ernster said. "We've got three sophomores new to the mix. We'll have to evaluate them on an ongoing basis.
"Defense is one of the most difficult jumps for a young player to make, going from 14-U to high school, simply because we stress defensive zone coverage. The center and defensemen have to do the bulk of work in the defensive zone in order for us to be effective in breaking out."
Junior Alyssa Wiebusch was one of the Warriors' top blue-liners, with three goals and 11 points. She was a plus-4.
"Alyssa certainly is one of the better skaters we have, regardless of position," Ernster said. "We're hoping she makes the similar jump that Melissa did from her sophomore to her junior year. Melissa made tremendous strides. We also expect Alyssa to make a tremendous mental jump this year."
Rangen is the leading returning scorer among the forwards with eight goals and 18 total points and was a plus-4. Senior forward Alyssa Lewandowski, another three-year starter, returns after an 8-goal, 17 total-point season.
"We're pretty deep far as the number of seniors we have," Ernster said. "My hope is once they sort things out and identify what their roles are they will be most effective."
Warriors roster
Returning players
Seniors: Melissa Hanson (D), Emily Lorenz (D), Chelsea Oakley (F), Aani Rangen (F), Niki Gorvin (F), Alyssa Lewandowski (F), Chelsey Smith (F), Tara Moen (F), Val Benjamin (G)
Juniors: Carolyn Sneep (D), Alyssa Wiebusch (D), Robyn Wernberg (F), Kim Groen (F), Kayla Helmberger (G)
Additional players
Seniors: Marie Kristiansen (F), Dinise Sutz (F)
Junior: Brittnay Schaaf (F)
Sophomores: Emily Wyman (F), Kirstin Helmberger (D), Cassie Tomlinson (D), Lucy Sweeney (D), Jessica Bye (F), Emily Brink (F)
Mike Bialka can be reached at mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5861.