Optimism Abounds for East Ridge Boys Hockey
With the second season of Raptors boys hockey underway, coach and players are determined to improve after a four-win debut.
There's a sense of infectious optimism that one can sense when talking to East Ridge boys hockey coach Doug Long. Yes, last season was the first for the Raptors program, and yes, a lack of experience took its toll, as wins were hard to come by. But when you point out facts like last season's four wins to the coach, his "look on the bright side" attitude pops out immediately. "And there were a couple ties," Long replied, with a chuckle. The 2009-10 version of the Raptors featured no seniors, and no players with previous varsity hockey experience, so the 4-21-2 overall record in year one was more of a disappointment than a surprise. "We learned really quickly that it was going to be an interesting run," Long said. "But give the kids credit, …
