Home

No one likes to lose, especially when they are used to winning, and the members of the Steamboat Springs hockey team have enjoyed high levels of success throughout the years.

But last season, the first for the high school program, provided every Sailors player the opportunity to learn first-hand that talent and expectations alone won't net victories.

The core group of players on this year's Steamboat squad has been together for years, winning state titles or coming close at the peewee and bantam levels. They are proven winners, and they aren't about to be disappointed again.

"They have played together for a number of years and had success in the past, and they know that," Steamboat coach Dave Strang said. "But at the same time, they have the experience of last season and know not to get ahead of themselves."

Or begin to play for themselves.

Last year, several players said, players' focus was not always on the team goals. This season, however, the team-first attitude that carried the Sailors football team to an 11-2 record is being adopted by the Sailors hockey team.

"We are further along already than we were last season," said senior Casey Earp, a member of the football and hockey teams. "Last year was different, and everyone knows what we need to do this season."

The season is just two games old, but Strang said he already has seen the Sailors display the character that defines successful teams.

In the season-opening game against Mitchell last Friday, the Sailors were trailing 3-2 in the third period. Strang shortened his bench, and Steamboat came back to win 4-2 in overtime. There was no hint of disappointment about playing time.

"There's always a lot of teaching to be done with regard to systems and what we want to accomplish," Strang said. "But to perform well and win games, you need to have everyone willing to be selfless and be there ultimately for the team."

The Sailors are off to a 2-0 start and sit atop the early Mountain League standings with a 1-0 record. At this point, Aspen is the clear favorite to win the Mountain League, while Battle Mountain from the Metro League is a favorite to win the state title.

"We're definitely the underdogs," Earp said.

Earp and senior Matt Legrice are this season's assistant captains. The Sailors selected senior Taylor Leary as the captain. All three grew up playing hockey together, and Leary said Steamboat was always the smallest of the team, but that athletic ability carried them through.

The Sailors are expecting talent and a good attitude to help them win games they did not win last season.

"Last year we had three pretty good lines," Legrice said. "This year we have four strong lines."

Steamboat continues the 2003 season today against Machebeuf in Denver. The Sailors open the home season at 1:30 p.m. Saturday against Summit at Howelsen Ice Arena.

-- To reach Melinda Mawdsley call 871-4208 or e-mail mmawdsley@steamboatpilot.com